Flesh & Bone by Jonathan Maberry

Benny, Nix, Lilah and Chong are still searching for the jet that they saw fly over them. They are beginning to think they were seeing things since they have not found it.

As always things are not easy in the Rot & Ruin. Some of the zoms seem to be evolving into a more faster breed, and some seem to be developing the ability to dodge obstacles. As if being chased around by zoms isn't bad enough, there is a religious cult now after the group. They call themselves Reapers and see their job as releasing all sinners into the darkness of death.

Relationships are strained also in this installment of the series. Benny seems to think that he needs to be just like his brother Tom. The weight of that responsibility has him hearing Tom's voice inside his head. Benny begins to wonder if he is going crazy. Benny isn't the only one that Tom has left an impression on. Throughout their ordeal in the Ruin each one at sometime or other remembers different lessons that Tom taught them about being "Warrior Smart". Those lessons help them each through their difficult journey as they become separated and encounter the new type of zoms and the crazy cult members on their search for a jet that they don't know exists anymore.

From the first page until the last page was turned Flesh & Bone was filled with one action scene after another! But not only do Benny, Nix, Lilah and Chong encounter zoms and cult followers, they also have to deal with their feelings for each other and their grief of losing Tom. So Flesh & Bone is not just filled with action, it is also filled with emotional roller coasters. I felt like I was there with each character as they fought an enemy or as they cried tears of grief or struggled within themselves for who they are becoming. Flesh & Bone managed to be just as good as Rot & Ruin and Dust & Decay without becoming stale or repetitive. I'm looking forward to the next book in the series! I have to find out how it all ends!

I borrowed this ARC from a friend. The published book comes out in September of 2012.

The List by Siobhan Vivian

Nobody knows who writes "The List" each year. The Tradition has been passed on for years. The week before Homecoming "The List" appears with the names of the ugliest and the prettiest girls in each grade. Nobody has ever claimed to have written "The List." Years before the seal of the school was stolen and is used to officially emboss "The List." Each year it is passed on to someone else in secret. That person doesn't know who was the list maker before them, but then it is their turn to make "The List."

For the 8 girls on The List life changes dramatically during the week before Homecoming. This year Bridget Honeycutt is chosen as The Prettiest for the junior class. Immediately the pressure is on Bridget to look her best. This manifests in an eating disorder that she thought had been put behind her over the summer. But she is determined to fit into that smaller dress size by the end of the week. Jennifer Briggis becomes the first four-peat girl as ugliest. Her former best friend Margo was chosen as prettiest which puts her in the top running for Homecoming Queen. When Sarah finds her name on the ugliest list she is determined to fight back. She decides to not bathe for the entire week much to the disgust of the student body that have to be in classes with her. Each girl handles their fame or rejection in her own way, unfortunately letting The List change them whether for positive or negative. With one girl determined that this will be the last List EVER.

My Thoughts:

There were a few things that I disliked about this story. The cursing, the sexual situations, and the drinking/smoking. BUT, I think the story brought out a lot of how fragile young adult self-image can be. And then to have their flaws or assets brought out in public like "The List," how damaging it can be even to the most put-together teen. This was not a "feel-good" story, it didn't end with everyone experiencing their "happily ever after." High school is messy, egos and self-image are fragile and the author was able to show that in this story. And there were moments when friendships and relationships weathered the storm which made the story more palatable for me.

Always the Baker Never the Bride by Sandra D. Bricker

This book made me laugh out loud! I love a story that can do that. The dialog between characters was so witty and filled with humor. A very entertaining read.

Emma works in a bakery for a cranky boss. Emma has just won the prestigious Passionate Palette award for one of her mouthwatering wedding cakes. A cake that Emma has only had a taste of since she is a diabetic. Emma's eccentric friend Fiona also works at the bakery. When Emma reads about the Tanglewood hotel opening up and in need of a baker she sees it as her and Fiona's chance to shine and show her true baking abilities, with hopefully a less cranky boss.

Jackson doesn't know what to think of Emma when he stumbles into the bakery that she works in. He sees her as an annoyance when she tries to get him to drink hazelnut coffee instead of the plain black coffee he asked for. When she shows up at his hotel to apply for the job of baker he is less than thrilled. But some things are out of Jackson's hands, mainly his 3 sisters! Emma has charmed her way to their hearts and they just know that if Jackson hires her the Tanglewood will have it's start in making a name for itself.

The book really becomes entertaining once the sisters become involved and once Emma's "divorced" parents arrive. Add to that Emma's Aunt Sophie who keeps escaping from the assisted living home and it all adds up to one riotous laugh after another!

Another fun thing about the book that was fun was that at the beginning(or ending) of each chapter there was either a recipe for some delicious sweet or wedding tips and advice.

I downloaded this book for free from Amazon.

This is the 2nd book I have read for the Why Buy the Cow? reading challenge

Truffles By The Sea by Julie Carobini-KINDLE

This is the sequel/companion to Chocolate Beach. In Truffles by the Sea we read about Gabrielle's story. Everything seems to be falling apart in Gaby's life. Her employee robbed her business, her apartment burned down. She has miraculously been offered a loft apartment to live in. It is in a more upscale part of town, but the rent is amazingly low. From the day she moves in though her nosy neighbor Iris plants in her head that her landlord is a philandering Lotherio that she needs to steer clear of.

Problems continue to assail Gaby. With all of her overhead stolen from her she has very little money to keep her in her floral business. Top that off with being sued by a disgruntled bride, her best friend Bri being too busy to sit on the beach and eat brownies, and two men vying for her attention and Gaby's world seems to be falling apart.

At first Gaby feels attracted to Max. After all he owns property, he's established, and he's extremely attractive. Gaby's new landlord Jake on the other hand confuses her with his kindness. She is wary of him because of Iris's warning, yet there is an attraction between the two.

Gaby has never given up, but she doesn't know where to turn when her life seems to be falling apart. While out driving to find perspective and clear her head she happens upon a group of women having a Bible Study at the foot of a cross. Gaby is reminded of the Lord in her life and determines to live for Him from here on.

I thought this was a fun read. In Chocolate Beach I loved Bri's sarcasm and Gaby's feisty-ness. I missed Gaby's personality at the beginning of Truffles by the Sea, but was happy to see it back once she found her confidence in who she was in the Lord.

I read this on my Kindle. Which reminds me that I am going to make August my READ ON MY KINDLE month. I have so many books that I have downloaded but have been unable to get to. So I am devoting August to that task.

Along Wooded Paths by Tricia Goyer(Big Sky Novel #2)

In the sequel to Beside Still Waters Marianna is still confused about her feelings for Ben. With Marianna being Amish and Ben being English a romantic relationship would not be allowed.

Aaron has tried to put Marianna out of his mind. He even tried to focus his attention on Naomi for a while. Being unable to forget Marianna he decides to travel to Montana and try and win her heart.

After an accident keeps Aaron in Montana and in Marianna's family home for weeks, Marianna becomes even more confused. How can she have feelings for both Ben and Aaron?

The community in which Marianna and her family are now living is a mixture of Amish and English. Whereas before in Indiana The Amish did not mix with the English here in Montana Marianna finds herself working for them and caring for them in a way she never thought possible. Marianna is also discovering a more personal relationship with the Lord and struggling to make that relationship mesh with the Amish way of life she has been taught since her birth.

I am thoroughly wrapped up in this series! At the end of Along Wooded Paths is a sample chapter for the next book in the series entitled Beyond Hopes Valley which just whetted my appetite and caused me to hope it will come out soon. But since Along Wooded Paths will not be released until October 2011, I doubt that my desire will be satisfied!

Forever by Maggie Stiefvater

Sam no longer turns into a wolf, but now Grace does. While Sam waits for warmer weather and Grace's return a girls body is found in the woods. This sets in motion Isabel's father's attempts to get the ban on hunting wolves lifted.

Since the girl was found near the Boundary Woods and close to Sam's house he is instantly a suspect. Especially since Grace too has seemed to have disappeared.

With the looming threat of the wolves being hunted and Grace being out there with them Sam and Cole must find a place to move the wolves.

In order to save the lives of the wolves and Grace Sam must do something he hoped he would never have to do again.

Although Forever is not always filled with action the ability of Maggie Stiefvater to keep a person engaged in the characters provides a fascinating page-turner. She has a way of explaining the thoughts and actions of the characters that makes you feel their emotional trauma right along with them. The love between Sam and Grace tugs at your heart. When you read about Sam's struggle to get his thoughts out into words you feel empathy for him. The relationship between Cole and Isabel was filled with tension. And the drama of the wolves' peril kept me holding my breath wondering which ones would survive. Great job Maggie Stiefvater! I will miss Sam and Grace, but I do have one complaint: I wish there were a different ending!

WORD DEFINITION: I have looked this word up and cannot find it in the dictionary. I am wondering if it is a typo, or if it is actually a word.
"I saw now that the kitchen floor was covered with dirt, the dull yellow lights illuminating where Cole's pacing had painted an OUROBOROS  of filthy footprints in front of the cabinets." pg. 32 of Forever by Maggie Stiefvater

I love to read and find new words and their definitions. But this one is not find-able. If you know what it means let me know!

Christian Fiction Book Club

This month we read Pompeii: City on Fire by T.L. Higley

Ariella was sold into slavery as a young girl to an evil Roman politician. She escapes him by disguising herself as a young boy and joins a gladiator troupe. They arrive in Pompeii to entertain the citizens who’s boredom and debauchery has turned into a demand for more and more bloodshed in the arena’s.

Cato has escaped to Pompeii after his failed political career in Rome. He is determined to live a life of leisure as a winemaker. What he doesn’t count on is the corrupt leadership of one man who is determined that Cato will not usurp his authority in Pompeii.

When Cato chances to meet the young “lad” Ari and discovers her secret he is determined that she will no longer fight in the arena. Sparks fly between the two. Ari’s heart has been hardened by years of abuse and she is determined not to let this Roman into her heart. When Cato’s sister is wrongly sent to jail he is determined to end the corruption that has been governing Pompeii. What he doesn’t count on is the evilness of this ruler, the support of local Christians, and the simmering mountain of Vesuvius. Will Cato find faith in the Christian’s Messiah or will all be lost to evil?

I have said before that I am not usually a fan of Historical fiction. But T.L. Higley writes in a way that captures and holds my attention. I loved her novel Guardian of the Flame and Pompeii City On Fire did not disappoint me. The characters and story have stayed with me even after the exciting ending of the book!

Questions:

5. Pompeii is a city reveling in its decadence. How did you feel about the way the author portrayed the society? Did it make you uncomfortable? Did you feel it was realistic?
Uncomfortable, YES! But very realistic from my understanding of the day, (which is pretty limited). It was a society of “anything goes” and that came across in the writing. Anything written in a more glossy tone would have been false and inaccurate. 

6. In what ways do you think our society parallels the Roman world in its obsession with death and sex? Would you say the world is getting worse or improving?
I’m not sure of what our society is thinking about death, but society is very much obsessed with sex. Just look at the TV ads, or billboards, or magazine covers, even our cartoons! Sexual encounters are no longer between just man and woman. Our teens are subjected to sexuality before they even enter high school. No longer is it the norm to wait until you are married before entering into a sexual relationship. I have even heard about someone marrying their pet! Yes, we as a society are obsessed with sex just as the Romans were centuries before. Any type of debauchery is becoming more acceptable. Are we improving or getting worse? I think we live in a fallen world and until our Savior comes to reign on earth we are not going to see much improvement.


12. Cato and Ariella are exposed to the gospel through the witness of a house church that is largely in hiding. How do you feel about the way in which the Church today is reaching out? Is it more or less effective than the first-century Church?
I feel that with the freedoms that we have today we as the church should be way more effective than the first-century church. Are we? I don’t think so. We get comfortable in our pews and with our own friends or social group. 

13. The end of the story involves some specific intervention by God, showing His power. Do you believe God still works in this way? If so, where have you seen or experienced it?

One year ago in May our church was destroyed by a tornado. Our music minister and his 3 children were in the building at the time. God protected them and they were able to get out of the building after the tornado went through. Ask our pastor and he will tell you today that even though we were devastated at the time God has blessed us as a church body beyond anything that we could ever have imagined. He allowed us to be able to have church services at a school that we had served in the community through the years. He allowed us to witness to the community around the church and to those that were also affected by the tornado. We had tried in various ways throughout the years to reach out to the community, but being a rural church and having so many people spread out it was difficult to find just the right outreach. Through this year of rebuilding and outreach we have seen and heard so many stories of how God has worked through our experience. What at first we thought was a tragedy, God has brought blessings in abundance!

Join the discussion now for Pompeii over at Seasons of Humility. Link your review so we can all take part in the discussion.

Come join us next month when we read Digitalis by Ronie Kendig. Next meeting is August 13th.

 

Pirate Of My Heart by Jamie Carie

When Lady Kendra's father dies she is left in the care of her scheming Uncle. He insists that she marry the man of his choosing or go to America to live with an Aunt and Uncle that she has never met. Choosing what she hopes is the lesser of two evils Kendra boards the Angelina to set sail for America.

Captain Dorian Colburn is not very happy about taking on a passenger. He is even less happy when he finds that his new passenger is a woman. From the moment Kendra and Dorian meet sparks fly. He is determined to never let another woman into his heart. But there is something about Kendra that touches his very soul. 

When Kendra reaches her Aunt and Uncle she is surprised to see how low they have become since settling in America. From being nobility in England to poor farmers in America, all because of her Uncle's penchant for gambling everything away.

From the moment Kendra arrives this Uncle too plots to marry her off to a scoundrel. What he doesn't count on is the interference of Dorian and his family who live close by.

Pirate Of My Heart is an exciting romance filled with romantic tension and suspense. Also, who can resist the amazing cover of the book? I would have picked it up just for that, but thanks to B&H Publishers I received my copy free. It is well worth the read!

The River Queen by Gilbert Morris

Julienne Cuvier has only known prosperity. When her father dies the family finds that he has left them only debts. The only thing that Julienne can think to do is to get a river boat that her father purchased years ago in working order.

Dallas Bronte is a washed up river boat captain that has drowned his problems in the bottle. After saving Julienne's life he is the one that she turns to to help her get The Natchez Queen up and running. What the two of them don't count on is the sparks that fly between them.

Dallas and Julienne set out to make money by hauling loads of cotton and other cargo up and down the Mississippi River. Their dreams soon turn to being able to make the Natchez Queen a passenger boat. Unfortunately they are unable to borrow money to make the needed restorations. This is when Julienne makes a rash decision that affects not just her, but her crew, her family and Dallas.

The good news first: I loved the characters and I loved the setting of the story. The bad news is that this just does not seem like a book that was written by Gilbert Morris. Realizing that I have an ARC copy of the novel, I know this is not the final print. But it seemed to me throughout the whole book that this was the original manuscript with no editing having been done whatsoever. This novel is supposed to go out for sale on November 15, 2011. Between now and then there has GOT to be some serious editing done. The sentences were disjointed, not cohesive, seemed to be out of order. Words were left out, there were many typo's. Mr. Morris seemed to forget who his characters were as he changed Dallas' name to Dante once. He switched Julienne's name to Julie at the beginning of the book, but didn't continue with the nickname. I have read several of Gilbert Morris' books and have never noticed the sloppiness in writing that was in this novel. Here is to hoping that Mr. Morris has an EXCELLENT editor! I would have given the book 4 hearts if I hadn't of been so frustrated with the writing.

 

A Heart Most Worthy by Siri Mitchell

  

  Three young seamstresses work for Madame Fortier. Each one has a different specialty and a different background.

Julietta is the embroiderer. She comes from a loving home but is determined to shake the fetters of family and tradition and embrace the freedoms of America. 

Annamaria is the smocker. Being the eldest daughter her responsibility is to take care of her parents until their death. If she is lucky she may be able to eventually marry. 

Luciana is hired to do elaborate bead work. Her father was killed by anarchists. She and her grandmother have escaped to America, but they are still pursued by the murderer who killed her father.

Each girl struggles with the prejudices of the day, and the heart-break of forbidden love. 

A Heart Most Worthy is written in what I have read is called "Omniscient voice." I'm not exactly sure what that means. My understanding is that the author breaks into the story now and then and addresses the reader. At first it was a bit annoying, but as I became more enmeshed in the story and the girls' lives those break-ins in the story were less relevant than what was actually happening in the story. I enjoyed the book very much. I've read one other book by Siri Mitchell, Beauty Becomes Her. If you like historical fiction these books are a must read!

An Eye For An Eye by Irene Hannon

Mark and Emily haven't seen each other for 20 years. They fell in love the summer they both spent at Wren Lake. They lost touch with each other after that summer, but never seemed to forget their first love.

A chance meeting in the park brings them together again. While making arrangements to get together someone shoots at them. The shooter injures Emily.

The question is who was the shooter's actual target. Was it Mark who is on the Hostage Rescue Team? Could it be a criminal that he had put behind bars, or someone's family member out for revenge? Or could it be Emily who's job as a psychologist brings many troubled souls to her office?

Mark and Emily seem to fall right back into the chemistry they had as teens. Emily is afraid to open her heart though to another man in a high-risk job. Her fire-fighter husband died while saving a baby from a burning building. Mark too is tentative about a relationship with Emily. After all his job is miles away from her at Quantico.

While Mark and Emily explore their new relationship a killer is plotting revenge. Will the FBI be able to track him down before he makes his next move?

I enjoy a good suspense/romance novel and An Eye For An Eye did not disappoint!

Red Riding Hood by Sarah Blakley-Cartwright

Valerie lives in a village that offers monthly offerings to the Wolf in order to keep the Big Bad Wolf from killing everyone in the village. Unfortunately this month the Wolf has killed Valerie's sister.

Valerie is in love with Peter, a boy that she grew up with. Peter has been gone from the village for years but has returned. Unfortunately Valerie's parents have betrothed her to Henry. Henry's family is well-off and Henry will make a good match for Valerie.

Now that the wolf has invaded the village a priest is called in to help them find out who the wolf is. He informs them that the Wolf is someone among them. A witch hunt ensues with people accusing each other of being the wolf. Valerie's best friend accuses her of being a witch because Valerie can somehow communicate with the Wolf. Valerie is offered as the next sacrifice for the wolf. Can Henry and Peter who both love Valerie unite to save her? And how can Valerie trust anyone around her?

I imagine that almost everyone has heard of this book and movie. I enjoyed both equally since the movie pretty much follows the book. One thing that is a bit frustrating is that the last chapter of the book has to be read online. The author didn't want to give away the ending until after the movie came out I guess.

Beside Still Waters by Tricia Goyer

On the night her 2 sisters died in a horrible accident Marianna Sommers was born. Raised in an Amish community in Indiana Marianna has tried her entire life to make up for the loss of her sisters.

Marianna is almost 20 and starting to think about having a home of her own. Aaron Zook has been taking an interest in her. He is building his own cabin and has dreams of one day living in it with Marianna.

Marianna's brother Levi has left the community. He has caused embarrassment and heartache for his parents. When Uncle Ike comes to visit he talks about his life in Montana and how the Amish community there is not as strict as Indiana. Marianna's father decides to move the family to Montana for a year to see what it is like. This causes Marianna great heartache at the thought of leaving Aaron and her brother behind. Her parents ask her to go with them for just 6 months as her mother is pregnant and needs Marianna to help with the younger children.

Marianna is determined to not like Montana. She is only there for 6 months to help her mother and then she plans to return to Aaron and her more strict Amish community. What she doesn't count on is meeting Ben. He is not Amish, but he is a good friend to the Amish community. Hearing Ben talk about God as if he is a close friend raises all kinds of questions for Marianna. Marianna slowly learns to love the community of people, but she also realizes that she is coming to care for Ben and that cannot happen.

Meanwhile back in Indiana Aaron has tried to forget Marianna by trying to learn to love another girl. Naomi is heartbroken over Levi leaving, she too is trying to mend her broken heart. Will the two of them find comfort and love in each other's company?

The story and characters grew on me as I progressed through the book. The second book in the series comes out in October and I am determined to get it so I can find out what happens. I am not normally an Amish fiction fan, but I did enjoy Beside Still Waters.

Pompeii City On Fire by T.L. Higley

Ariella was sold into slavery as a young girl to an evil Roman politician. She escapes him by disguising herself as a young boy and joins a gladiator troupe. They arrive in Pompeii to entertain the citizens who's boredom and debauchery has turned into a demand for more and more bloodshed in the arena's.

Cato has escaped to Pompeii after his failed political career in Rome. He is determined to live a life of leisure as a winemaker. What he doesn't count on is the corrupt leadership of one man who is determined that Cato will not usurp his authority in Pompeii.

When Cato chances to meet the young "lad" Ari and discovers her secret he is determined that she will no longer fight in the arena. Sparks fly between the two. Ari's heart has been hardened by years of abuse and she is determined not to let this Roman into her heart. When Cato's sister is wrongly sent to jail he is determined to end the corruption that has been governing Pompeii. What he doesn't count on is the evilness of this ruler, the support of local Christians, and the simmering mountain of Vesuvius. Will Cato find faith in the Christian's Messiah or will all be lost to evil?

I have said before that I am not usually a fan of Historical fiction. But T.L. Higley writes in a way that captures and holds my attention. I loved her novel Guardian of the Flame and Pompeii City On Fire did not disappoint me. The characters and story have stayed with me even after the exciting ending of the book!

Fade To Blue by Julie Carobini

Welcome back to Otter Bay! This is the 3rd book in the Otter Bay series. I have read A Shore Thing but haven't read Sweet Waters yet. In Fade To Blue we read about Suzanne's story. She is Gage's(from A Shore Thing) sister who came with her son Jeremiah to live with him after her husband was sent to jail and divorced her.

Suz is working for a company that restores art. She is learning how to do the tedious job of restoring a piece of art to its original beauty. She finds out quickly though that this isn't her passion. She loves to paint murals.

Suz's world is set on end when she runs into an old flame. Seth was her boyfriend when she decided to marry Len her ex husband. It's a small world when she starts running into Seth everywhere she goes. He has bought a window washing company and they seem to be working on the same places. Seth is bitter about their old relationship.

When Len is set to be paroled he writes Suz a letter letting her know that he is a changed man and he wants to be involved with Jeremiah's life. Suz is confused about her feelings for Seth and her desire to give Len a chance to prove his new life.

Throughout all of Suz's struggles, her brother and his fiance' Callie are there to support her and offer advice and love. Also her friend Letty whom she works with. I'm hoping that there is another installment to the Otter Bay series and that it will be Letty's story.

I enjoyed Fade To Blue. I did get a bit frustrated with Suz lack of seeing the true colors of her ex husband. I think that she should have been more searching into the truth of her ex's conversion. For the most part I am becoming attached to the characters that make up Otter Bay.

The Unknown Ajax by Georgette Heyer

 A friend gave me this book a while back and I just now got to it. I think Georgette Heyer is an author that I have missed over the years! I now have to remedy that and get some more of her books! While Jane Austen is still my favorite author in literature I found Georgette Heyer's characters witty and amusing just like Austen's characters. If you like to read Historical Romance then this author is one you must check out!

A little bit of romance, a little bit of mystery and a little bit of hijinks make for a very entertaining read.

Ghost Town by Rachel Caine

  As always Morganville is a perilous place to live if you are human. But once you live in Morganville there is no leaving. With the death of Ada, the machine that keeps the boundaries of Morganville, the town is left vulnerable to outsiders. As a punishment for killing a vampire(in self-defense) Claire is sent to Myrnin's lab with instructions to build a new machine that will control the boundaries and also open the portals for travel between places in Morganville. She is not allowed sleep as it is imperative that the boundaries go up immediately.

Claire and Myrnin get the job done and everything seems to be working perfectly. Not long after the machine is put online Claire realizes that strange things are happening in Morganville. When she goes to check the machine, she sees that Myrnin has made some changes. He is unwilling to allow Claire to see what changes have been made. He has put a security field around the machine so that nobody can turn it off.

Things go from bad to worse when people start having gaps of memories. It seems like years have been erased. Of course it is up to Claire, Eve, Michael and Shane to get to the bottom of the memory loss. Claire knows exactly what is causing the problem. She is unable to get to the machine though because Myrnin has reverted back to his "crazy" days. He doesn't remember Claire as his student in the lab. He will not allow her near the machine so she is unable to turn it off.

When everyone who is close to her seems to forget who she is, Claire must rely on Frank(Shane's father turned vampire) to help her make things right before she too forgets.

Ghost Town is one roller coaster ride after another! There were several times I had to put the book down because I was just so stressed out about what was happening or going to happen next! I can't wait for the next installment of the Morganville Vampire series, they keep the reader on the edge of their seat.