reading
No, I Do Not JUST Read Books!
It is so much more than that. I learn things, and I share the things I learn with others.
I get to experience places and things that otherwise would be off limits to me.
I get to encourage and support new authors, when they feel like giving up, and setting their work on fire.
I get to edit books, and help authors present their best work possible.
There is no such thing as too many books, or reading too much.
If you believe there is, you will never understand what you are missing.
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Start With Me (A Modern Parable) – Michael Seaton & John Blase
This is a fast read that involves many different characters, all at different points in their lives, but also all connected in one way or another. A middle-aged married couple who have everything they ever wanted, and feel like “Is this it?” A young widow who lost her husband in Iraq, and is raising two young sons. A new pastor in town who is getting the feel for the members of the church. Another married couple who have never been able to have children, and are now looking to adopt.
The whole idea of Start With Me is right on the back cover: “In a hurting, broken world, one person can make a difference!”
As each of these people go on with their busy lives, along with other characters in the story, they slowly see opportunities to help someone in need. Or someone with a need who can not see it themselves. The smallest kindness, gesture, or even a few words, really can change a person’s day. It can also change their outlook, their attitude, and the way they view the world.
One person really can make a difference. And if many persons make those small differences, just imagine how much more wonderful things could be in your neighborhood, your town, your state, the world? I often feel like there is something I should be doing to help others, more than donating time and money. I pray about it daily, that I will see the opportunity or calling when it is presented to me.
If you are in need of a powerful, uplifting read, this is a book you will be glad you spent a quiet afternoon with.
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Sweet Water – Christina Baker Kline
After becoming the owner of a house and 60 acres willed to her after her Grandfather’s death, Cassie Simon decides this is just the change she needs. Having lived in the city for the majority of her life, she was not exactly sure what she was looking for, but that this was her chance to do something different.
Her long-lost family, who have not seen her since she and her father moved away after her mother was killed, are skeptical about why she would come back. Why would she decide to live in a house that has been empty for so long? Would she be capable of even taking care of herself, or would she expect her new-found family to help her out?
Cassie does her best to fit in, and get her new home in tip-top shape. Her relationship with her grandmother, whom everyone calls “Clyde”, is tense for reasons she does not understand and can’t seem to figure out.
This story is told from two different viewpoints: Cassie’s, and Clyde’s. This story drew me in right from the beginning, and I was anxious, and sad, and angry right along with Cassie as she learns more and more about her family, this new town, and what really, truly happened to her mother. The biggest question is, when she learns the truth, will she have any forgiveness left in her?
This is my first read of Ms. Kline, and I was not disappointed. She his highly reviewed, and highly rated. I happened to stumble on this book while browsing through others, not knowing what exactly I was looking for, but that I would know it when I saw it. And I did.
You can find out more about this book, and Ms. Kline, here: http://christinabakerkline.com/novels/sweet-water/
If you have read any of her stories, including this one, I would love to hear what you thought of it!
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Waking Up Married – Mira Lyn Kelly
Megan Scott and Conner Reed are both in less than stellar moods when they happen to bump into each other at a bar in Las Vegas. Both recently out of relationships, and swearing off love and everything it brings with it, they are married before morning hits. Megan remembers none of it, and Conner remembers every minute of it.
Asking for a 3-month trial before she files for divorce, they both try to begin to trust again, especially in such a difficult situation as they find themselves in.
This was a really fun read for me, and I enjoying it a lot. I am not usually a reader of romance books in general, but I am glad I gave this one a try.
It was a light read, filled in a few hours for me this weekend, and I did not want to put it down, or reach the end of it. There is some steamy scenes to this story, but nothing overly graphic or just ridiculous in how it is written. Mira has a great style of writing and this will not be the last book of hers I pick up.
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God Forbid – Alyssa Rabil
I love reading books about religion. Factual, fiction, speculative, and pretty much everything in between. This is the first in a two-book series. This story is unlike any religious stories I have read so far.
Completely fictional, this story focuses on the major players in the religious stories you are likely familiar with; Jesus, Lucifer, Gabriel, and other key players.
This story moves between Nabil and Albert and the people they interact with. Nabil seems to be stalked non-stop by Cannon, with some friends, or maybe they aren’t friends, who seem overly interested in his every move.
Albert has made a name for himself due to his numerous, up-to-this-point-unsuccessful, suicide attempts. Known as Suicide Man, he has managed to gain quite a following of people, his own website, and numerous viral videos.
So how would Jesus, and Lucifer, function living in our world today? A more important question is how would they function when they are not 100% aware of who exactly they are, and their importance to life for millions of people.
I am looking forward to the release of this second novel, and you can find more information on Alyssa’s website, found here: http://captainlilybob.com/books/
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What is The One Book You Want To Read; But Haven’t?
I have a small stack of books I need to read, and books that are overdue to the library; again! This is why I hate getting books from the library. Honestly, I have already bought a wing in that library with my late fees and damaged books thanks to my girls.
But is there one book you want to read, but keep setting aside?
I am asking because I am making sure I have a whole big wide window opened this summer for reading, and I want to read what you recommend.
So if you tell me you have a book I absolutely have to read, I will find it and read it. I will check it out from the library, I will buy it, but you have to promise me it is worth it!
So let me know, and I will get to shopping!
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Chill Run – Russell Brooks
This was a fast-paced read, with a lot of twists and turns. This is the second book I have read by Russell Brooks, and this one had a completely different feel to it. The whole style of writing seemed different than “The Demeter Code”, and it was spot-on for this story.
When Eddie has no one who believes in him and his dream of becoming a published author, his two friends convince him to try a publicity stunt to end all publicity stunts. Everyone knows it is a lot easier to sell your first novel when people have heard of you.
Eddie should have stuck to writing, and hired someone to get his name out to the public. What seemed like a harmless stunt turned into an unsuspecting, albeit sketchy, Governor being murdered. And the bodies seemed to pile up from there. With next to nobody believing in his innocent, Eddie and his friends begin a journey to clear all of their names. They manage to uncover corruption of the deepest kind while they are at it, while learning what they are truly made of.
I liked this story a lot, and highly recommend it. It has action, suspense, romance, and a couple laugh-out-loud moments as well.
To learn more a bout Russell and his stories, be sure to visit his website at: http://russellparkway.com
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Why I Will Not Review Your Book
It really is nothing personal, and I do not turn down the opportunity to read a new story very often, but sometimes I do. And then the author takes it personally. Like I did not feel their story was worthy of my time, or I felt the description was so bad that I could not even stand the thought of opening it.
That is not the case. 99% of the time it is because they have written a book on a subject that I have no knowledge of, and my lack of knowledge is not going to allow me to write a fair review. I will get to that other 1% in a minute. But if you have written a book about birds of South America, or Buddhism, or aliens, you do not want me writing a review. Do I have anything against the birds of South America, or Buddhists, or aliens? Nope. None of the previously mentioned have ever done anything to me. But I do not know anything about them. So no; I do not generally read science fiction. There are some Sci-Fi stories that I have read, but the story was also steeped in other information that allowed me to get lost in it, and enjoy the story the way the author surely hoped I would.
It has nothing to do with the story, or the author, or the quality of their writing. It’s not you, it’s me…
Now; about that other 1%. I have read a couple completely unbearable books in the past year, and most of you know that I really do not try to say bad things about writers, or their stories. If I can’t say anything nice, I prefer to keep my mouth shut. But once I tell you that I will not be reading and reviewing your book, you should probably just leave it be. It is the unfortunate author who feels the need to blow up my email account and say unkind things that is likely to get an honest, horrible review of their book posted for the whole-wide-web to find and read.
Those of you whom I have been in contact with, whose stories I have purchased or you sent to me, and have not seen a review yet; I have not forgotten. And I will get it done. Sometimes life just happens to get in the way of my free time. Many do not realize that I have a full-time 45+ hours-a-week job, am the single parent to 4 daughters (3 still at home), and go to college when it strikes my fancy. I also have a couple other pans in the fire that need my attention from time-to-time.
I want, and appreciate, the gentle nudges you send me to ask about your review. Please continue to do so. I love to read. It is my one escape that allows me to relax, unwind, de-stress, and forget about my 17 year old driving my car all over town, my 23 year old stressing over paying for college classes, my 13 year old video chatting with 16 year old boys 3000 miles away, and my 10 year old who has no more responsibilities than to feed her guinea pig, yet gets mad at me because I forgot to do it for her.
I am grateful for my patient and understanding authors and followers, and it really is my goal to help promote and encourage as many of you as I am able to. Your stories truly do bring me joy, happiness, and adventure, and without them, I cannot even begin to imagine how much more difficult I would be for others to have to deal with!
So please keep writing, so I can keep reading!
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The Demeter Code – Russell Brooks
This was my first read of a Russell Brooks novel, and I have already started on the second of 4 of his books that I purchased.
The Demeter Code is a fast-paced book, with lots of action and details. You definitely need to devote all of your attention to the story while you are reading it, as there are numerous characters involved, and the action moves from one set of people to another. I do not mention this because I found it to be a problem, I simply mention it because you probably do not want to read this with the television being on next to you, kids running in and out (welcome to my home!), or anything else that could likely divert your attention from the storyline.
Do you have concerns about the quality of the food you eat, the chemicals added to it, or the various GMO’s used virtually everywhere? If you do, this story is one you will want to read.
Do you like lots of action, plus detailed weapons and scientific information? Then this story is for you as well.
Do you have an interest in travel, and other countries? What about politics and government? If so, this story will capture and keep your interest as well.
I try to not give away any spoilers, or too much about a storyline in any of my reviews. The same holds true for this review. I will say that it is focused on Dr. Nita Parris, Ridley Fox, and a host of other secondary characters that round out the storyline and plot nicely. There seems to be a ticking time bomb that will bring devastation to the world like nothing ever seen before. It is up to Dr. Parris and Ridley to figure out who is involved, and put a stop to the plan before it is too late; too late for everyone.
You can find this story as well as Russell’s other novels on Amazon.
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