Vicious Cycle: A Review

When fifteen-year old Lance finds out his friend Jordan has left drug rehab, he goes to her house to check on her. After being threatened, he leaves, only to find a newborn baby in his back sea. Jordan's baby. Thinking he will have his mom help figure out what to do, he takes the baby home. When he's arrested, the family finds themselves involved in a baby smuggling ring in addition to drug abuse. Can the family work together to prove Lance's innocence as well as protect a helpless baby?

As always, Blackstock tells a thrilling tale of adventure, but what stood out to me most in this book was the honest, realistic look at drug abuse and human trafficking. Lance's sister is finding it hard to cope after graduating from a year-long rehab facility. The storyline of baby traffickers getting drug abusers pregnant in hopes of selling their babies is a real issue, and Blackstock handled it with grace while still sharing a intriguing story.

Fans of Christian fiction will enjoy this book. I know I look forward to more books in this series.

Waking Hours: A Review

When a teen is brutally murdered in a small town, forensic psychologist Dani Harris is called in on the case. Working with an old friend and old love interest Tommy Gunderson, former NFL star, Dani finds herself working on more than just a murder mystery. Each morning, she is awakened at 2:13 a.m. by weird dreams and strange events. Is more going on than just a murder...something supernatural?

The murder investigation is a good storyline, but when you add a supernatural occurrences and a budding romance, you have a suspenseful thriller. The characters are intriguing, and as a football fan, I enjoyed the back story of Tommy's football career and why he walked away from it. The pace of the book is a little slow at first with several loose ends, which are finally tied together about halfway through.

My favorite part of the book was the angle of the forensic psychologist. Many times a murder mystery is told from the detective's point of view, but bringing in the psychology of a murderer as a part of the storyline made the novel more interesting and even thought-provoking at times.

Fans of mystery, especially ones without graphic details, will enjoy this book.

I look forward to reading the second book in the series.

I was given this book in exchange for my review. My thoughts and opinions are my own.

If I have a Wicked Stepmother, Where's My Prince?: A Review

When Lucy moves from San Fransisco to New York because of her dad's marriage to her step-monster Mara, Lucy's dad still commutes back and forth for work, Lucy is left alone with Mara and her twin daughters and relegated to sleep in the basement without furniture. When Lucy catches the attention of a popular basketball star, it seems like her life is truly a fairy tale come true. As Lucy gets to know Sam, a fellow artist, she must decide if she wants a fairy tale or real love.

This book is a light, fun read, but I felt the end was rushed. The storyline is interesting although predictable, but the characters never really grabbed my attention. I liked Lucy but didn't really care about the other characters, including the "prince" who captures her heart.

I received this book in exchange for my review. My thoughts and opinions are my own.

I love Fresh Starts!

I love fresh starts: Mondays, the first of the month, the first day of a new school year, and of course, January 1st.
2011 was probably the first year I ever accomplished a new year's resolutions. It may be because they were clear and achievable. My goals were to owe less money and to weigh less. :) I paid off 8,000 in debt and lost 20 pounds. I consider that pretty good, especially in a year that found me grieving the death of my dad in March.

This year, I have the same goals. I would like to owe less and weigh less. In my head, I would like to see 15,000 paid off in debt (I know that's double how much I paid off in 2011, but I have a plan) and 40 pounds lost. We'll see. Anything is better than nothing.

For my reading, I would like to stretch myself some. I've found my brain needs more stimulation outside of work now that I work with elementary kids. I love them, but they don't make me "think" much. I don't toss around ideas about life, relationships, money, politics, the world with them like I did when I taught middle school. So, I want to read more nonfiction and more of the classics. My goal is to read one nonfiction and one classic each month.

My problem is I am not sure what books to start out with. I guess I need to hurry up and decide.

I'm looking forward to this new year.

Book Giveaway: Attracted to Fire

I'm back to giving away books. I hope you all had a great Christmas and a festive New Year's celebration. :) I'm all settled in my new place and eager to clean out some more books.

This week, I'm giving away Attracted to Fire by DiAnn Mills. I loved this book!

To enter to win, leave a comment with what you are attracted to. Right now, I am attracted to ice cream. It's bad. It's not as bad as my attraction to cupcakes, but it's hindering my weight loss goals. So I need to cut it off...right after this last bowl. I promise.

To get a second entry, leave a comment letting me know you follow the blog.

I'll pull a name next Tuesday. I can only ship to the US.

I think that's it.

Oh, wait, make sure you leave your email address.

First Date: A Review

For most teen girls, the chance to be on a reality TV show and compete for a prom date with the president's son would be a dream come true, but for quiet, small-town Addy, it's more like a nightmare. As the show progresses, will Addy realize that perhaps God has bigger plans for her (and the show) than just a first date?

Loosely based on the Biblical story of Esther, First Date is a fun read. Although the premise of the book is light, the book does delve into deeper topics of faith and family without being preachy or condescending. The characters are real, and I especially like Kara, Addy's roommate and friend, and Mike, the uncle who gave up his career to raise Addy after her parents were killed. Hopefully, the teens who read it will want to check out the story of Esther in the Bible and perhaps even realize that whatever situation God has them in, He placed them there for such a time as this.

Fans of YA will enjoy this book. The author's voice and style reflects her familiarity with teens.

I received this book in exchange for my review. My thoughts and opinions are my own.

Addison Blakely Confessions of a PK: A Review

Summary: Addison Blakely lives in a fishbowl: not only does she live in a small town where everyone knows her business, but she's the pastor's kid. Up until now, she's lived up to the expectations. Then enters Wes, a motorcycle riding, leather jacket wearing brooder. His attention has her wanting to rebel and to follow her heart instead of the "rules" she's always followed. Will she be able to find her way and learn to balance faith and love?

My thoughts: Even though Addison is a PK, I think she's a great representative of teens who grew up in Christian homes. They have heard the truth for as long as they can remember, but at some point, it has to become THEIR faith, not their parents. This discovery was what stood out to me most in this book. Addison is a likable but boring character, but as she begins to find her own faith and standards, she becomes more interesting. The supporting characters were more intriguing than Addison, perhaps because they were their own people. Marta, my favorite character, shines as an exchange student, and Wes' character growth made him my second favorite...or maybe I'm just a sucker for a bad boy.

The plot keeps a steady pace with typical teen drama when Addison's dad begins dating her teacher and Addison becomes involved in a school talent show. The ending is satisfying, but I hope it becomes a series because I would like to see how Addison develops further. (Or if it's not a series, I would love to see a book on Marta.)

I enjoyed this first YA book by Betsy St. Amant, and I look forward to reading more by her. I think Christian teens, especially those who grew up in Christian homes, will relate to the topics and experiences in this book.

I received this book in exchange for my review. My thoughts and opinions are my own.

Heart of Ice: A Review

Nicole (an FBI agent), Cassidy (a TV reporter), and Allison (a prosecutor) are best friends and a triple threat to crime. When the Want Ad Killer attacks several ladies in the area, the three are on the case. While they investigate the murders, they become unaware of a psychopath Elizabeth who has wormed her way into their lives, pretending to be a friend while orchestrating events to get what she wants. Will the three friends be able to discover Elizabeth's plan before another person dies?

My thoughts: This is the first book I've read in the series, so I felt a little disconnected from the characters, who were probably developed through the first two books. (I am a character-driven reader.) I love the idea of their friendship and their careers intermingling, but I felt like I didn't really know them. However, the character of Elizabeth was well-developed and quite interesting....her manipulation to have others do her dirty work was fascinating. The action was face-paced and full of twists and turns. This fast read is sure to keep your attention from the first to the last page.

Fans of action packed suspense will love this book, but I do suggest reading the books in order. I do plan to go back and read Face of Betrayal and Hand of Fate.  

I received this book in exchange for my review. My thoughts and opinions are my own.

Southern Fried Sushi: A Review

Summary: When Shiloh P. Jacob's mother passes away suddenly, Shiloh leaves her fast-paced life in Tokyo, Japan (where she's a reporter for AP and engaged to Carlos) to bury her mother in Virginia. While she is coming to terms with the death of her mother, who was never a real mother, Shiloh loses her job and her fiance. Stuck in redneck country, Shiloh has to put together the pieces of her life with a little help from some country folk.

My thoughts: The first few chapters had too many details and not enough action, but once Shiloh sets foot in Virgina, the story picks up and becomes a great read. The author's fun style is evident in the vivid, colorful characters (although a bit stereotypical of the South). The character development of Shiloh is heart-felt and authentic. The supporting characters of Becky and Faye are quirky additions and epitomize what's best about the South.
The spiritual truths are evident but not preachy...it's more of a development of character than a lecture to the reader.

I loved this book: from the cute cover, to the notebook Shiloh keeps of Southern sayings, to the roses in her mother's garden, to the truth that with God, things can bloom again.

I received this book in exchange for my review. My thoughts and opinions are my own.

Protection for Hire: A Review

When Tessa was just sixteen she began working for her Uncle Teruo's Japanese Mafia gang, so when she takes the fall for someone else's crime and gets seven years in prison, she isn't surprised that people still expect her to be a criminal. Instead, she's a Christian trying to make a fresh start. When she agrees to become a bodyguard for Elizabeth St. Amant, an abused woman whose life is in danger, Tessa finds herself back into her old world...except this time, she's on the right side. Will Tessa be able to stop the people who want Elizabeth dead?

I've read most of Camy Tang's work and enjoyed it. However, this is by far her best book. The action and character development were amazing. As always, the Chinese and Japanese cultures are woven throughout the novel. One of Tang's best writing qualities is her grasp of family dynamics, and this book had one of the best as Tessa forged a relationship with her mother and sister.

Tang did a great job peeling back the layers in her characters, pushing past the superficial and getting to their hearts and motivations....all while out-driving trails and fighting assassins.

Fans of Camy Tang will love this novel. It has a little of everything: culture, romance, action, and family. I look forward to reading the second book in the series!

I received this book in exchange for my review. My thoughts and opinions are my own.