YA Review: “Beautiful Lies” by Jessica Warman (releasing 8/7/12)

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Tomorrow “Beautiful Lies” comes out. I got this book as an ARC through Net Galley a few months ago. It is thrilling YA fare: identical twin sisters Alice and Rachel share everything (or do they??). When one twin goes missing, some think she’s run away, but her sister believes she’s in trouble, and she has the physical manifestations to prove it. This supernatural, creepy, at times disturbing and confusing book kept me guessing (and reading) to the last page.

I love a good YA read, and this was no exception. However (and this is a SPOILER ALERT), I was confused at times. The twins are switching identities, yet people are calling them by their other twin’s name, but not all people are; and then there is the whole what is real and what is imaginary and what are ghosts theme that was profoundly confusing at times. It’s the kind of book that I like to read twice so that I can go back and pick up clues the second time through.

All in all, a page-turner that I enjoyed!

And thanks, Net Galley and Walker Children’s Books, for my copy to review!

Quick Audiobook Review: “World without End” by Ken Follett

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I loved the book and miniseries “Pillars of the Earth” by Ken Follett, so I was thrilled to find the audiobook for its sequel, “World without End”, at the library (read by John Lee).

While this story takes place in Kingsbridge, the town that is the setting for “Pillars of the Earth”, it stands alone as a novel, being set 200 years later and with new characters (though references are sometimes made to the previous characters).

The story starts with four children, playing in the woods. They witness a murder and a secret, and this event sets the stage for the events of their lives, which are chronicled. Follett draws us a picture of Medieval England that is vivid and accurate. His characters are unique and the main characters are all quite different. I listened to this story in the car while driving and still could easily follow the plot (which was definitely not for the kids at times!). John Lee’s narration was a great touch to the story; he excels at providing unique character voices.

All in all, a great story!

 

Review: “Wildflowers from Winter” by Katie Ganshert

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Through Blogging for Books, I received a free download of “Wildflowers from Winter” to review.
In “Wildflowers from Winter”, Bethany Quinn returns to her home (which she vowed to leave behind forever) when her childhood friend’s husband dies. Bethany is uncomfortable with her mother, her friend, and her town. She hasn’t spoken to her friend in years. She relishes the time she spends with her grandfather, who owns a farm where she spent many happy childhood hours.

Evan Price is her grandfather’s farmhand, and her friend’s brother-in-law. Bethany and Evan clash from the start. Bethany is a high-powered city architect who is tough and seemingly careless. Evan is a hard-working farmer and a Christian. He’s somewhat disgusted by Bethany self-centeredness. Bethany is derisive of his faith. When a further tragedy and then a work crisis strike, Bethany is drawn to stay at home and begins to rebuild and rethink her life’s decisions.

I really enjoyed reading this book! At first I wasn’t sure if it was going to be a good fit for me as I thought I might find it predictable. I liked the story and character development. It was well-written. I also found the discussions of faith realistic.

Thank you, WaterBrook Press, for my copy!

You can visit Katie Ganshert’s website:

www.katieganshert.com

Review: Simple Skincare, Beautiful Skin: a Back-to-Basics Approach by Ahmed Abdullah, MD

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I found this little gem on Net Galley, and since I’m a person who has ten thousand products in her bathroom, I couldn’t wait to read it!
“Simple Skincare, Beautiful Skin” is a great primer on basic skin care. Dr. Abdullah starts with the facts so that the average person can understand their skin. By reviewing how skin “works” he then proposes his approach: cleanse, exfoliate, moisturize, protect. Lots of information is given which helps the reader to decide what products to use and what products are unnecessary. Additionally, he has special chapters on understanding and treating acne and also the special needs of skin that has undergone cancer treatment (radiation, etc.).

I just loved this book! I found it so readable and so interesting. I have always been a bit obsessed with beauty products, but since reading this book, I feel I am a more educated consumer. Some product claims that sounded too good to be true to me, or illogical, really are! Also, Dr. Abdullah has his own line of skin care products and I’ll be honest: I was afraid that the book would turn into a commercial for them, but it does not. Except for a few references to his “skin care line”, I would have only found information on his products in his bio.

I’d recommend this book for those who want to better understand their skin. There is something in this book for all ages, teen to older adult.

Thanks, Net Galley and Green Leaf Book Group Press, for my copy!
This book releases on 9/1/12.

Review of the latest ‘Her Royal Spyness’ Cozy: “Naughty in Nice” by Rhys Bowen

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Last month while at the library I noticed a new release of the latest Royal Spyness mystery: Naughty in Nice. If you read me, you know I love this cozy series, centering on the likable but less-than-perfect Georgie (related to royalty) in 1930’s England. This time around, the Queen herself has sent Georgie on a mission to retrieve a “borrowed” snuff-box, and Georgie is sent to Nice, France – winter playground of the wealthy. Before Georgie can get the box back, her neighbor is murdered; and after floundering her way through a fashion show of Coco Chanel’s line, the priceless necklace Georgie is wearing is stolen. Now she must find two items and solve a murder!

Love this series!

Quick Review: The Limpopo Academy of Private Detection by Alexander McCall Smith

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I received the new No. 1 Ladies book for Mothers’ Day (and I’m seriously delinquent in posting about it!). This thirteenth addition to the series is just as enjoyable as its predecessors. This time Fanwell, the apprentice, is in trouble and Precious is determined to help him;  Grace and Phuti are building a house, which has issues of its own; and Mma Potokwane has been mysteriously dismissed from her position at the orphanage. In addition, the very illustrious Clovis Andersen shows up and helps Precious and Grace with their work.

I enjoyed this novel from start to finish!

Review: Finding Our Way Home by Charlene Ann Baumbich

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I recently signed up with “Blogging for Books” and this is the first book I’ve received to review. “Finding Our Way Home” tells the story of two women: Sasha Davis, a prima ballerina injured in a tragic accident, and Evelyn Burt, her kind-hearted but bumbling and very naive assistant. Both women are on a journey to self-discovery and healing, where they learn that God’s grace is what they need to get them through their troubles. This book is part of Ms. Baumbich’s “Snowglobe” series.

After Sasha Davis is seriously injured in a dancing accident, she leaves her dancer husband and returns to her childhood home in Wisconsin to begin the process of healing. Evelyn Burt, a larger than life nineteen-year-old, is hired as her personal assistant. Sasha is angry, bitter, and scared. Evelyn is newly engaged, naive, and enthusiastic. Her engagement, however, has strained her relationship with her parents. Both women are seeking to repair important relationships and find new freedoms. This story is their journey.

While I enjoyed reading this novel (which reminded me a bit of my beloved Mitford books), I did have some trouble keeping with it. I felt the pacing was slow and the characters were a bit unbelievable. Would Sasha really turn her back completely on her beloved husband who only wants to be there for her? Could Evelyn really be that incredibly naive? I found it stretched my imagination a bit too much. That said, I did enjoy the story and felt that Ms. Baumbich draws in God’s presence with a light touch that is simple yet very effective.

You can find out more about this novel:

Visit Charlene Ann Baumbich’s website:

http://charleneannbaumbich.com/index.html

Read the first chapter: 

http://waterbrookmultnomah.com/blog/2011/11/15/sneak-peek-finding-our-way-home-by-charlene-ann-baumbich/

Thank you, Water Brook Press and Blogging for Books, for my copy!

Review: The Scrapbook of Frankie Pratt: A Novel in Pictures by Caroline Preston

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I loved, loved, loved this unique novel I picked up today at the library on the new releases shelf. Told in pictures and memorabilia from the 1920’s, Frances “Frankie” Pratt is a young woman newly graduated from high school in 1920 and planning the rest of her life. Her mother gives her a scrapbook for her high school graduation, and she finds her deceased father’s Corona typewriter in the barn (Frankie dreams of being a writer). What follows is an engaging look at a young girl becoming a woman in a time that now almost 100 years ago. Told entirely through Frankie’s scrapbook, we follow her from high school, to her first job, to her first fling, to college, to Europe, and beyond.

I really enjoyed this book! I read it in an afternoon.

Love the book trailer from You Tube!

Quick Cookbook Review: “Soup of the Day” by Kate McMillan (Williams-Sonoma)

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I had a chance to download this cookbook through Net Galley. I loved it so much I’m going to purchase it (and its companion “Salad of the Day” book).

This cookbook presents 365 soups – one for each day of the year – set off in calendars. As a very non-creative cook, I appreciated all the wonderful recipes and ways to create soup for my family. While some of my friends prefer cookbooks that show step by step prep with pictures, this book had one picture of the finished product for some of the soups (or at least my digital download did). I still really liked it and got some great ideas for soup beyond my two standards: pumpkin at Thanksgiving and chicken.

I’d be curious as to whether others have used and enjoyed this cookbook or its salad counterpart!

Thanks, Net Galley!

Review of the latest Gaslight Mystery – “Murder on Fifth Avenue” by Victoria Thompson

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I love, love, love this historical cozy mystery series, set in New York at the turn of the century. Sarah Brandt, midwife and daughter of a wealthy family, pairs with Irish cop Frank Malloy to solve murders and mysteries in the city. Thompson pays great attention to historical details and her books are really a delight to read.

In this installment (apparently number 14 in the series – I’ve read them all but lost track), Sarah’s father, the rather pompous Felix Decker, has called upon Malloy and Sarah to investigate the mysterious death of a friend from his club. It appeared that victim had been stabbed by a small sharp object, didn’t realize he had a mortal wound, and was going about his business until he died in his chair. The victim, Chilton Devries, was a wealthy businessman but truly a horrible and abusive man, and there are no shortage of suspects. Sarah and Frank must work together to figure out who had the means and motive, and then bring the killer to justice (even though most folks were relieved by Devries’ death).

I love this series, and while I loved this installment, I felt it took a good fifty pages to “get going”. There was a lot of time devoted to Mr. Decker asking Frank, and Sarah, and even Sarah’s mother to help out, and then the subsequent conversations between the aforementioned individuals. I also missed the “personal” piece that often figures in this book: Sarah and her daughter, Sarah and Maeve, and – most importantly – Sarah and Frank! I also didn’t like that near the end, the murder weapon was revealed to be a different murder weapon than previously thought. However, all in all, it was another enjoyable read in the series!

I got mine at the library.