Synopsis: Joel dares his best friend, Tony, to a swimming race in a dangerous river. Both
boys jump in, but when Joel reaches the sandbar, he finds Tony has vanished. How
can he face their parents and the terrible truth? (from the back of the book)
Review: This is a sad, hard story. However, it's a good book, one that would be excellent to help someone through the death of a loved one, particularly a death one might feel guilty over. It's a quite read, but leaves a mark.
Bookmarks: 7 of 10
Awards: 1987 Newbery Honor Award
Date Finished: 7-11-2012
Pages: 90
No man can be called friendless who has God and the companionship of good books. ~Elizabeth Barrett Browning
Sunday, July 15, 2012
Review: Mockingbird by Kathryn Erskine

Review: This is a marvelous book. I laughed out loud several times, and cried at the end. Yes, cried. Written from the viewpoint of a child dealing with Asperger's, it gives an excellent perspective, one many of us might learn from. I highly recommend this book - in particular if you know someone with Asperger's, and wish to learn more about how they see the world.
Bookmarks: 8 of 10
Awards: 2010 U.S. Nationa Book Award for Young People's Literature
Date Finished: 7-10-2012
Pages: 235
Review: Ravyn's Flight by Patti O'Shea

Review: This is a well-done sci-fi romance. I enjoyed the world-building (and the subtle references to things from our time that carried over), the romance was a little hokey, but not enough to ruin the story, and I enjoyed the romance between the secondary characters. The story is fact-paced and well-written, although I could have done without the mystical stuff. In the end, if you are looking for good sci-fi romance (which is hard to find) this is a good choice. I will be reading more of her work.
Prude Note: There are several sex scenes, all of which can be avoided if you wish. One, however, is important to understand the romance between the secondary characters, but not so important that skipping will ruin the story.
Bookmarks: 7 of 10
Awards: None
Date Finished: 7-8-2012
Pages: 312
Review: Games of Command by Linnea Sinclair

Wanted rebel Jace Serafino has information that could expose all of Sass’s secrets, tear the fragile Alliance apart–and end Sass’s career if Kel-Paten discovers them. But the biocybe has something to hide as well, something once thought impossible for his kind to possess: feelings . . . for Sass. Soon it’s clear that their prisoner could bring down everything they once believed was worth dying for–and everything they now have to live for. (from the back of the book)
Review: This was a delightful book. The relationship between Kel-Paten and Sass, the humor, the tension, the romance - it's perfect. Sinclair is a master. Her stories are intricate, fast-paced, with distinct, complete characters in a believable story with a twist to the end. Unlike so many romance books, this one has meat on it's bones. It's more then just love-tale; There is mystery, suspense, action, humor and yes - love. I highly recommend, not just this story, but most of Sinclair's work.
Prude Note: There are 2 major sex scenes. They are not graphic and are important to the characters. You can skip over them if you wish, and it won't ruin the story.
Bookmarks: 9 of 10
Awards: None
Date Finished: 7-5-2012
Pages: 525
Tuesday, July 3, 2012
Review: To Close to the Sun by Robin T. Popp

On the riskiest mission of his career, Nicoli had allowed his life essence and his physical form to be separated. And the Harvestors had taken the bait – his body. Now he needed the cocky pilot who’d stolen his vessel to help him retrieve his person and destroy the deadly race of aliens. Then he discovered the young man was a woman, and he kissed his chances of success goodbye.
When Nicoli refused her assistance because of her gender, Angel would have moved heaven and earth to prove she was up to the task. But she never expected the colonel’s physique to be so magnificent – or his heart to be so courageous. And when a passion she couldn’t deny flared between them, she wondered if they’d found love or flown…Too Close To The Sun. (from the back of the book)
Review: I picked this up on a whim, as I was looking for science fiction romance novels. Unlike several others I picked up, this one proved interesting and well-written. I enjoyed the characters, the story and the romance. Some of it was a bit contrived - the whoops-we-are-naked parts - but the world-building was interesting enough that I just rolled my eyes and keep reading. This is a pleasing summer read. Oh, and just ignore the cheesy cover.
Prude Note: There are three major sex scenes, all of which can be skipped with no loss to the story. They aren't graphic, mostly the normal romance novel stuff, if a bit contrived.
Bookmarks: 7 of 10
Awards: None
Date Finished: 7-3-2012
Pages: 305
Review: Special Forces Unarmed Combat Guide by Martin J. Dougherty

Review: No book is substitute for hands-on training, but this book does a good job of giving a the basic idea. It has step-by-step instructions, pictures and general advice. I purchased it as reference for writing and it's proven useful.
Bookmarks: 7 of 10
Awards: None
Date Finished: 7-1-2012
Pages: 320
Review: Touched by an Alien by Gini Koch

Review: I picked this up on a whim several months ago. It was clever and amusing, not the best read ever, but pleasing. I laughed out loud several times and I didn't know what would happen until the end. I enjoyed the campy qualities and the concept. I felt the "climatic" confrontation between good and evil was a bit contrived, and the romance a bit rushed. In the end, it's a pleasant summer read.
Bookmarks: 7 of 10
Awards: None
Date Finished: 6-15-2012
Pages: 389
Review: Instructions for American Servicemen in Britain 1942 by the United States War Department

Review: This was a delightful book! I loved the comparison between American and English customs - (They make crap coffee, We make crap tea) - I would highly recommend this book for any Anglophile or fan of WWII history. It's a quick, easy read and quite fun!
Bookmarks: 8 of 10
Awards: None
Date Finished: 6-10-2012
Pages: 31
Review: The Unfortunate Miss Fortunes by Jennifer Crusie, Eileen Dreyer and Anne Stuart

Review: I picked this up at two of the three authors are the same as Dogs and Goddesses, which I rather enjoyed. This wasn't as good at Dogs and Goddesses but it was amusing and a good read. I enjoyed the three sisters (Mare was my favorite) and the intertwinning stories. If you're looking for a pleasent beach read, this is a good choice.
Prude Note: There are several sex scenes but each is important to the development of the characters, and the story. None are gratuitus as often occurs in these sort of novels. They are easy to skip, if you wish, but there is nothing disgustingly graphic about them, just your usual romance novel heaving and swelling.
Bookmarks: 7 of 10
Awards: None
Date Finished: 6-8-2012
Pages: 410
Review: The Primal Blueprint by Mark Sisson

Review: Mark Sisson is, for lack of a better word, an Elder in the Primal / Paleo nutrition movement. His blog, Mark's Daily Apple, is a pillar of knowledge for us new cavemen. This book is his basic ideology and how-tos. It's well-organized, humorous, easy to understand but not dumbed-down. I enjoy his realistic approach and his philosophy - namely, that most diets function on guilt instead of true health. I highly recommend if you are looking to get healthy and have failed with most other methods.
Bookmarks: 7 of 10
Awards: None
Date Finished: 6-3-2012
Pages: 325
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