In Pursuit of Happiness by Thomas Baker- Five Star Review!

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‘In Pursuit of Happiness’ by Thomas Baker is a uniquely told story which forges together many myths, religions, and stories in order to form something entirely new. When I first began reading, I was unsure of what to expect. The farther I read, however, the more captivated I became. I’m a great lover of myths and stories, and this book was well suited to my tastes. The writing is well crafted so that it flows freely from one part to the next. The ending, well, without giving too much away, I will say that the ending was perfect. It wrapped the entire story up in a nice, neat package and left me with a good final impression of the story as a whole. I would recommend this book to anyone looking for a short, easy read, as well as to anyone who has an interest in myths, religion, or history.

*This review was done by Chelsea*

Tears of War, by A.D. Trosper- 5 Star Review!!!!!!!!!

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Tears of War is the second book in the Dragon’s Call series. The first edition, Embers At Galdrilene, was so amazing I actually began counting down the days until the second installment would come out. I waited, and waited, and waited. It felt as though the book would never come out! When it did, I was not disappointed in the slightest. If possible, this book is even better than the first. What I so love about A.D. Trosper’s writing style is that her characters seem so alive it is as though they have been lifelong friends. The places in her books are so realistic I am sure I have been there. Her books play out like a movie screen inside my head. My heart sang with happiness at parts, and in others my very soul mourned. Exaggeration? Hardly. It’s hard to NOT be sucked straight into the world created in this series. I dare you to try and stay in the real world while reading it. Go ahead and try. Without giving too much away, I will say that there is a part in the book that killed me. It ripped out my very soul. Seriously. I cried, and I cried, and I cried. It was the kind of crying jag that leaves you nauseous and breathless, with your face aching and your eyes refusing to see clearly. That’s all I can say, however. Now, do I recommend this book? I would think the answer would obviously be yes. I believe everyone should read this awe-inspiring, thrilling read. I simply can not praise it enough. Just be prepared for an attachment to the story and the characters. Be prepared for plenty of raw emotion and vivid detailing. Be prepared to be swept away into the world which A.D. Trosper has created for us.

*This review was written by Chelsea*

 

Vanguard of Hope, By Kathy Steinemann- Five Star Review

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“Vanguard of Hope” by Kathy Steinemann is an intense book which is strongly based on sexual abuse in children. It is said to be a diary of one of her ancestors, although certain parts of the books make me wonder if it is, in fact, a work of fiction- whether by Steinemann or Hope. I read it as though it were a memoir, and along with the information in the back, it made me sick- but not in the way you are thinking. I thoroughly enjoyed the book, and I highly recommend that everyone read it. What makes me sick is that people who sexually abuse children are so true-and that the majority of these abuses occur as a result of a close friend or family member of the child. I will be writing a blog post about this, but… I do know people who were sexually abused as children. In fact, I know over a dozen who were raped, and at least that many who were not raped per say, but who were touched or told to do things that are completely inappropriate. It is a very real issue in the world-modernly and historically. I appreciate that the author was able to bring this issue to the front of everyone’s minds. The book is truthful, and well describes the issues that develop later in life for those children who were sexually abused. I encourage you to read this book, and leave a review so that others will also read it. I was touched, disgusted, and finished the book being well informed.

*This review was written by Chelsea*

*Please note, this book is indeed a work of fiction, however I find it best to read (and review) as a memoir, seeing as that is the way it is written. You will better enjoy the book if this is the way you also read it*

 

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Ouray’s Peak, by Leigh Podgorski- Five Star Review!!!

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Although I love many books, give many four and five star reviews, it is rare that a book seems to physically move me. From start to finish, “Ouray’s Peak” by Leigh Podgorski was a book which wrapped me up in the story. I could feel what the characters were feeling, see what they were seeing, and hear what they were saying. The story touches me. Although I am not Ute, I have a strong Native American lineage, and I know well many of the things done to the people- of varying tribes. The story conveys it’s deep seeded message in an entertaining way, and the word choice is…perfect. I really am not sure what words I can use to explain just how truly gripping, thrilling, touching, and…perfect… this story really is. I’m rambling, and I know this, but allow me to say this: I recommend this book to everyone. Everyone. If you can put this book down after you pick it up, you are a stronger person than I am, because I found it nearly impossible. The only reason this book got put down were things I couldn’t postpone any longer- supper was already late, the errands were put to the last minute…and I finished this book in a single day. Honestly. It’s not that short, either, but I…well, I couldn’t stop reading. You won’t either. Read this book. Trust me.

*This review was written by Chelsea*

 

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Peer Pressure Vs. True Friends, by Dr. Orly Katz- Five Star Review

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“Peer Pressure vs. True Friends” by Dr. Orly Katz addresses some very real issues that kids of all ages face in today’s society- well, that they’ve always faced, in all eras and societies. Peer pressure is a very real problem, and this book teaches kids how to deal with that problem without droning on and sounding like a text book. Between the worksheets and personal stories about the author herself, the book becomes a very personal, touching, sincere guide to overcoming peer pressure, and it gets kids started on working through it immediately. I’m going to save this book for that not-so-distant future when my own daughter will be able to read it, because the truth is that she’ll be able to put it to good use. I highly recommend this to parents of primary school students, primary school students themselves, or even teachers of primary school. Whether you believe your child/student needs this book or not, I can tell you that they will certainly benefit from it, beyond the shadow of a doubt.

*This review was written by Chelsea*

 

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Defiant Heart, by Marty Steere- Five Star Review

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“Defiant Heart” by Mart Steere is an extraordinarily well told story that takes you back to the times of the second World War. A romance stands at the base of the story, but it does not encompass the entirety of the plot. You are immediately drawn into the story, and you can’t help but feel bad for Jon Meyer right from the beginning. The poor kid really has been given a rough hand in life,yet he takes it all and moves forward, always striving to be better, do better… Then there’s Mary. Mary is the quintessential small town ‘nerd’ girl, so to speak, and I loved her. She does exactly what she thinks is right, no matter what the costs may be. You feel bad for her multiple times through the story, because despite not having quite as bad a hand as Jon, her lot in life quickly becomes bad as the story unfolds. The supporting characters are well put together, contributing to the story in a very real and meaningful way. The ending, well, the ending was perfect. I won’t go into details, but suffice to say, those of you who enjoy happy endings will fall in love with this book- although it certainly doesn’t end the way you expect it to. I recommend this book to anyone interested in action-packed novels, happy endings, World War II, or romances.

*This review was written by Chelsea*

A First Love Never Dies (Spi-Corp Series, #1) by Margaret Taylor- 5 Star Review!!!

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I am not usually one to enjoy science fiction novels. I’m more of a fantasy lover myself, to be entirely honest. Yet “A First Love Never Dies” by Margaret Taylor drew me in from the very beginning. I was immediately swept into the story, and was so enthralled that I finished the book in just a few hours. I can’t wait to read the second installment of the Spi-Corp series. Seriously. I need find out what happens next…now. This is going to be one of those series where I bite my tongue because I want to hound the author to put out the next book. Haha…moving on. Okay, so the story is well put together. I know exactly what is going on, and the alien technology, words, etc is very well explained. There isn’t so much technological/alien wording that I feel lost. The romance that this story is based off of is refreshing in that it’s sarcastic, distanced, and romantic…all in one. It wasn’t that mushy-gushy stuff, which usually puts me off, but it had enough true romance to keep me from rolling my eyes. This book was perfectly balanced in every single way. I recommend this book to EVERYONE. I do mean EVERYONE!

(*On a side note, I love the cover of this book too!)

Review Written by Chelsea

 

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Up The Down Ladder, by Dolores Ayotte/ Five Star Review!

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Although this book was meant to be a self-help sort of thing for people with depression, I found that I was able to take a lot out of it. I do not suffer from depression, but rather, severe anxiety issues. Many of the issues discussed in this book hit home hard for me. I’ve felt like I was at the bottom of the ladder, as if there were nothing more I could possibly do, and at times, I was ready to give up. I’m glad that I was able to read this book, because a lot of the advice and inspiration contained within it’s pages were things I needed to hear right now. Although I honestly did not think I would walk away from this book feeling any better about myself or doing more with my life, I have been proven very wrong. I feel much better about myself, and I’ve decided to do some things to make myself feel even better. This book, actually, spurred me on, as silly as it seems, to deep clean my house. It’s something that I have been meaning to do for months, and although I don’t particularly enjoy the cleaning itself, I have always loved the feeling of sitting back and looking at the work I have accomplished. I am also going to begin riding my bike again because it’s something I so enjoy- and, as a stay at home mom, it is something that gives me that half hour or an hour to myself, to do something I enjoy, and to stay fit while I’m at it! Although this book is geared towards those suffering from depression, I highly recommend it to everyone with even the smallest inkling of self doubt, or even the tinniest of burdens. It’s an inspiration work I am very happy I read, and I believe that you feel the very same way.

*This review was done by Chelsea*

 

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Lost and Alone (Cougar Cub Tales), by Sharon Cramer/ Five Star Review!

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This is the second ‘Cougar Cub Tales’ book that I have read, and I enjoyed this one even more than the first. My daughter really enjoyed it, and was pulled into the story. She pointed things out, and enjoyed the smooth rhyming that takes you along the story. The story is very cute in general. To be honest, I did not think I would become a fan of the Cougar Cubs at first, but I have found that I really do enjoy the stories, as they tell fun tales that entwine life lessons in such a way that a child can grasp. I would highly recommend this for anyone with young children.

*This review was done by Chelsea*

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FIVE STAR REVIEW!!! Linked, by Hope Welsh

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Linked was a fantastically written book, full of adventure and a hearty helping of hot, steamy romance. Truth be told, I don’t usually care for your run-of-the-mill romance, but this book was one heck of an exception. The love scenes were hot, without being corny or cliche, and they blended in exquisitely with the main story itself. Hope Welsh is a very talented and skilled writer, who portrays her characters in a very realistic, very vivid light, and who spins a story like a spider does a web- meaning, that she traps you into obsessive reading right from the start. I won’t give away too many details, but I will say that the ending was fantastic. It was unexpected, to say the least, and it gives me great hopes for the second book- which I am about to go devour much as I did this one. In fact, I devoured Linked in a matter of hours. I simply couldn’t put it down. I loved the way that the story mixed a strong element of fantasy into our modern day world. It makes you rethink things, because the story could so very easily be true. There are, after all, so many things that we don’t know about the world around us, and I love stories that make me wonder. I would highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys romance or fantasy. I mean, I don’t usually like romance and I loved this one, although I’ll totally admit to being an avid fantasy reader. The graphic sex scenes (which were amazingly hot, by the way-or did I already say that?) makes this a book that is not suited towards anyone under the age of eighteen, however.

*This review was done by Chelsea*

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