Two Adult Reads

Somebody I Used to Know by David Bell

Genre: Adult, Mystery, Thriller

Source: I received a copy from netgalley for review.

I liked this book. It grabbed me from the very beginning and I finished it in less than three hours. We have the main character Nick who has had a lot of bad situations in his life pertaining to women.  While in college he dates a woman named Marissa.  Just days after breaking up with him she dies in a dorm fire along with her three roommates.  Nick moves on with his life becoming a social worker. Then he marries a woman who has a young son from a previous marriage. Their marriage falls apart and they divorce.  He has bonded with her son and wants to see him.  She has him arrested.  Move to present day and we find him shopping in a grocery store when he sees someone who is almost a dead ringer for his dead college girlfriend Marissa.  She even has the same mannerisms.  When he approaches her in the grocery store and asks if she is related to that family the girl drops her groceries and runs from the store.  The next morning Nick is awakened by the police beating on his door.   The young girl he saw in the grocery store has been murdered in motel and was found with his name and address.  Nick quickly becomes the prime suspect.  He reconnects with friends from college who knew Marissa.  Two of those friends Heather and Laurel tell him things he never knew. Laurel convinces him to hire a lawyer.  She can’t get what is happening to Nick out of her mind and once she latches on to something, she can’t let it go.  The problem is someone somewhere doesn’t want anyone knowing the truth.  Reading this book was like watching an episode of 48 Hours on TV. This could have been ripped from the current headlines.  If you are one who loves mysteries then I definitely recommend this book. It is easy to read, the pacing keeps you turning pages. Definitely one you need to check out.

The Beautiful Daughters by Nicole Baart

Genre: Adult, Contemporary Fiction

Source: I received a copy from netgalley for review.

From the prologue you are sucked into this story.  You know there has been a death.  Adri lives in Africa as a nurse.  She has run away there after her fiancé’s death.  She and her best friend Harper blame themselves for David’s death. The story is told switching from present time to remembrances of her former life before David’s death.    You learn she grew up on the farm next to his mansion and visited there every year, yet she never knew David well until college.  Harper, her best friend in college introduced them to each other. Along with two brothers, they become an inseparable group of five.  Harper has run away to a completely different life.  She finds herself in an extremely abusive situation.  I found it hard to understand how each of them felt like anything bad that happened to them was deserved.  David’s death broke apart the friendship that Harper and Adri had.  When David’s mother dies, Adri receives the call in Africa and learns she is the executor of the estate.  Will going back be healing for Adri and Harper or will it serve to increase the gap that has grown between them?  I love reading books like this.  Where a lot of people will find the back and forth of the present tie and the memories of the past annoying, I find this kind of writing to be very intriguing.  I enjoyed this book because it is about love, friendship and redemption.  I recommend it to those who love reading realistic or contemporary fiction.

Three Different Genre's, Three Great Reads

Since I've been going through physical therapy I find I have plenty of time to read. I read while waiting my turn for the therapist. I read while they are icing my knees down and using a tens unit on me.  When I get home and the effects (pain) from the therapy sets in, and I can't move very well, I read.  If I have early morning therapy, like today, then I get several books read.  I hope you enjoy my eclectic reads for the day.

A Fistful of Collars by Spencer Quinn

Genre:  Adult, Mystery

Source: I received a copy to facilitate my review. The opinions expressed here are my own.

This was an interesting story because it is told from Chet the dog’s point of view. Chet is a police dog. Bernie is his handler or should I say side kick. The two are tasked with watching over movie star Thad Perry during filming in their town. Thad  seems to have a not so glamorous reputation. In addition to this Bernie’s son has scored a role in the movie.  Bernie’s ex-wife can see a future in this, something Bernie is not real happy about, especially when he realizes how talented his son is.

When a dead reporter turns up Bernie and Chet are on the case.  They realize that this murder is connected to a murder in the past.  They also realize that someone is willing to go to a lot of trouble to keep anyone from delving into the past. While you have this great mystery going on; you have Chet’s ability or lack of ability to always understand humans.  This in itself adds the humor that makes this book so wonderful to read.  So if you are looking for something kind of on the light side then I recommend this book to you.  It is a stand-alone novel even though it is part of a series.  

Adobe Gold by Robert C. Mowry

Genre: Adult, Historical Fiction

Source: I received a copy to facilitate my review. The opinions expressed here are my own.

I am one of those people who love historical fiction. Adobe Gold is the first book in the Stone Justice Series. Colonel Tyrone Rafter was sent on an important mission by his friend Abraham Lincoln. While in Mexico looking for an important man. He is captured and imprisoned.  Due to a leg injury and a inept doctor his leg is removed.  He spends seven years in prison until he escapes.  He returns home and learns things have really changed.  He's lost his wife to another man because she believes he is dead. This was enough to change everything. He becomes a very bitter person.  When Lincoln learns he's alive he needs him for another mission.  He is sent back to Mexico to find out if there really is gold in Santa Fe.   I found it ironic that as a professing atheist he is sent back as a minister. While performing the duties of a minister he reads his Bible.  Will this change him from the hardened man he has become?  You really need to read this book to find out.

Chimera by Vaun Murphrey

Genre: Young Adult, Science Fiction

Source: I received a copy to facilitate my review. The opinions expressed here are my own.

*Parental Warning* There is some sexual content at the beginning of this book.

I have to say right off that I absolutely loved the cover of this book.  It says so much. Once you read the book you will understand what I mean.  At age five Cassandra watched her parents murdered. At age thirteen she is rescued by an uncle she has never known.  While she was held captive she had no one to talk to.  She kept within herself.  That is why I said the cover was so appropriate.  Her uncle takes her to live with them.  The counsel doesn't want her living there because they think she will endanger all of them. She is trained in martial arts and like her family, as a Weaver.  A Weaver is not what you think it is.  Think of a Weaver as someone who is able to use the Internet of the mind. Cassandra has more abilities than the others in the colony.  She also has someone hunting her so she must go into hiding.  This is the first book in the series.  I know there are three others that I've not yet had a chance to read.  Hopefully my schedule will allow it soon.  I believe teens and adults who like science fiction will enjoy this.

Forget Me Knot Release Day Blitz

Forget Me Knot (Royal Reaper 2)

by Ruth Silver

Publisher: Booktrope

Published: June 23, 2015

  Don’t mess with death. When Wynter explores his newly developed dark angel powers, regret soon fills his heart and mind. Saving a soul isn’t what he imagined it to be, and it puts the grim reaper he loves in grave danger. Obligated to take the throne as Queen, Mara must face the truth and unravel secrets she may not be ready to accept. The second book in the Royal Reaper saga takes you on a paranormal fantasy adventure into a world of grim reapers, dark angels, and undead trucidators.

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Excerpt

Death crept into the castle. Mara could feel its darkness pressing her down. As she walked to her father's bedchamber, the thought of marrying a man she did not love weighed heavily on her. All the invitations had been sent out months ago. Just as her life was beginning to almost feel normal, her father, King Philip, had fallen ill along with the court of Casmerelda and much of the kingdom. The second wave of the plague violently spread, leaving a trail of death and burning corpses for the living to clean up.

Her father had been bedridden for three days. His fever spiked and his skin glistened. He grew delirious, falling in and out of consciousness. As much as she despised him for what he’d done to her sister’s boyfriend, he was still her father. She didn’t want to be left alone.

“You must marry Astin at once.”

Mara cringed. “I can’t.” Her lips hidden as she wore a piece of ivory cloth against her nose and mouth, the slightest bit of protection from the disease that had taken over the kingdom. “I don’t love him. Please don’t do this to me.”

“Don’t be selfish.” The words struggled to reach his lips. He coughed and heaved, his chest rising and falling quickly as his pulse raced. “I’ll be with your mother soon…”

“You’ll be dead.”

Taking in several deep breaths, he opened his mouth, his words coming out as a whisper. “You will be reigning queen. Mara, you must act the part. Marry Astin and forge an alliance with the country of Morro, for the sake of Casmerelda. Your people need you.”

“I need you,” Mara said, gripping her father’s hand. She frowned, studying the tips of his fingers, a blackened hue lacing his skin.

“You shouldn’t touch me.” He tried to pull away, unsuccessfully. Her grip remained tight, but more significantly, he’d grown weak from the disease ravaging his body.

“I haven’t been infected, and I’ve been at your bedside every night.” Mara ordered the servants to bring more water and rags. It had done little good to break his fever or alleviate the discomfort he must have been experiencing, but it was all she could think of to help.

“Marry Astin.” His words were rough slipping past his lips. He wheezed, trying to speak, but Mara rested a hand upon his chest.

“Don’t.” She didn’t want to have this conversation again.

“For the sake of the kingdom,” he said, pleading with her.

Mara refused to answer. Marrying Astin wasn’t what she wanted. “I have no desire to be queen so young. You will pull through, do you hear me?”

He’d fallen into a deep slumber, unable to answer her.

About the Author

Ruth Silver is the best-selling author of the Aberrant trilogy. With a passion for writing and a love of story-telling, Ruth is actively writing two series: Royal Reaper and Orenda. She also writes The Federal Agent Chronicles and Palace Secrets, both of which are adult romance under the name Ravyn Rayne for Blushing Books. Her interests include traveling, reading, and photography. Her favorite vacation destination is Australia. Ruth currently resides in Plainfield, Illinois. 

Follow Ruth here: 
Blog- http://writeawaybliss.com 
Facebook- http://facebook.com/writeawaybliss 
Twitter- http://twitter.com/writeawaybliss 
Looking for a steamier read? Check her out here: 
Blog- http://ravynrayne.com 
Facebook- http://facebook.com/ravynraynereads 
Twitter- http://twitter.com/blushingravyn

If Only by Norma Budden

Genre: Adult Realistic Fiction, Paranormal
Source: I received a copy to facilitate my review. The opinions expressed here are my own

"If Only." How many times have we looked back on some aspect of our life and thought those words. After reading this book I realized that I'd heard those very words in my own family. After my husband and I married, our second for each of us, he kept  telling me he felt like he had a kid “out there”.  When he was seventeen his girlfriend got pregnant. They argued.  He went back to her house a week later to work things out and was told his girlfriend had miscarried and they didn’t want him around any more. Fast forward twenty one years. My husband received an email from his former girlfriend’s father stating she had died and they needed to talk.  He immediately called and said, “I have a kid don’t I?”  His daughter contacted him.  She had been told he was dead.  Standing graveside at her mother’s funeral her grandfather told her he knew where her biological father was.  Her first question to her grandfather was “why”.  She wanted to know why they had told her this lie and at the same time kept tabs on his life.  After all, she lived in Illinois and he lived in Florida.   Not more than a month later we saw his aunt at a store. They both had been told the other was dead.  Her next comment was, "I know where your father is." He'd never known his father.  His father had spent his entire life looking for him.  My husband got to meet him and learned he had three sisters and a brother.  I immediately saw the parallels with this book.  I love when art, in this case writing, imitates life.

Norma Budden has created a story with characters that are very believable.    A young girl (Demi)  gets pregnant in high school and then gives the baby up for adoption.  The father of the child (David)  never knows about the baby because she didn’t want to “ruin his life”.

Sixteen years later both Demi and David have married and have families of their own.   Demi starts having premonitions that she needs to find her daughter.  They grow stronger and stronger.  She hasn’t had any luck with the private investigators she has hired so she has to find another way.  The plan she comes up with is to get in touch with David who is now a detective.  This means she has to tell him the secret she kept from him all those years.  This also means she is going to have to tell her husband.  If David accepts the job he is going to have to tell his wife.  

There was a  lot of heartache in this book.   The  parallels between the book and the real life story of so many other people make it believable.  You don’t have to worry  about the paranormal aspect of the book, because it is light and wonderfully handled. The visits come in the form of dreams.  I am hoping there will be at least a sequel to this book.  I’d like to know what happens next to David and Demi.  I’d also like to hear Alexis’ side of the story. What was it like growing up forher.  There is so much more we can learn.  I would also like to know what happens to Alexis and Kevin.  I definitely recommend this book to everyone who loves real life drama with a side of paranormal. 

Student Saturday: Crazy Dangerous - Andrew Klavan

Genre: Young Adult, Realistic Fiction

Student Reviewer – Elizabeth

This book was hands-down absolutely amazing. One of the best. This story has a plot twist at every corner. This book is an emotional rollercoaster. My eyes were wide open at the plot twists. I gasped at the surprising things, and I felt like I was there. I really enjoyed this book. It was about a kid named Sam Hopkins. He is a fairly normal kid, until one day in the middle of running; he gets slugged by three thugs. They teach hi things and eventually he realizes what he is doing is wrong, and when he tries to get out of it, a murder case suddenly is involved. Then there is this girl who has a “mental disease: and Sam thinks she is some crazy prophet… as you can see it is really hard to describe. So, you’ll have to read the book to find out. I would recommend this to the action packed mystery lovers.

Two Books of Poetry by W.R. Watkins

Source: I received both copies to facilitate my review. The opinions expressed here are my own.

You. Are. Not. Alone

 Full of emotions that are both honest and raw, the author sets out on a journey of discovery. This is a journey taken through the dark places of his life, into a much brighter future.  I could relate to so many of the emotions and the rawness. He encourages us to accept who we are and to learn to be okay with ourselves, because changes on the outside won't change who we are on the inside.  His poem "Cry" made me feel like he had sat by my bedside as I went through my depression knowing my husband had found another.  "I Need Somebody" is how I felt, almost desperate. I needed to feel loved because at that moment my confidence was shaken in love. He tied it up nicely in his poem, "You. Are. Not. Alone."  The periods after each word state for a fact that we are not alone. There are others out there going through the same things we go through. Sometimes we need therapy to understand that statement.  This poetry is a little on the melancholy side, but still you leave with feelings of hope.

An Obsessive Infatuation

In Watkins' second book of poetry he takes us from longing for love to finding it.  This book starts off in a depressed mood.  The author is longing for someone to love.  He looks and when he sees the one person that he believes can make him happy his heart soars.  He doesn't tell them, yet lets his infatuation grow until he is ready to burst.  Finally he takes a chance and tells them only to hear they don't care for him the same way, but they want to be friends. It hurts and tears at him.  He took a risk, but was it worth it to have loved, let his love be known, and then find out it wasn't to be.  This is a lot more depressing that his first book.  The pain in this book both begins and ends it.  Once again it is full of emotions that everyone can understand and say, "hey I've been there."

Karmack by J.C. Whyte

Genre: Middle Grade, Fantasy

Source: I received a copy to facilitate my review. The opinions expressed here are my own.

Sully is the leader of a group of bullies that include his friends Gonzo and Breeze. While chasing down a kid from music class who had the audacity to squeal on him, he sees something on the bank building roof just before a pile of snow buries Gonzo.  The next day at school everyone is laughing at Gonzo and what happened.  When Breeze targets the new girl in the school cafeteria things once again go bad. Sully sees the same creature who dropped the snow on Gonzo, trip his friend Breeze.

The creature’s name is Karmack and it is his job to stop Sully and his friend from bullying.  There will be terrible consequences if they don’t stop. It is his job to make Sully understand that the pranks he plays are another form of bullying.  The author touches on several different types of bullying.  I thought the things that happened to Sully and his gang to be very funny.  I also thought it great that the only one who could see Karmack was Sully.

This is such a rewarding book.  Instead of seeing the bully punished for what he has done, or getting his just desserts, we find a different take on this story.  The bully is actually encouraged to be a positive leader and role model instead of leading people into bullying and intimidating others.  I do think this would be a great book to put on my shelves.  Any time you can find a book that touches on the topic of bullying and shows the importance of stopping bullying is enough of a reason to put the book on your shelves.  I would definitely read more from this author.

Twenty-Two Children's Stories

Genre: Picture Books
Source: I received copies to facilitate my reviews. The opinions expressed here are my own.


Parents for Sale by  Nicole Audet

When twins Lucy and Luke fail to take care of their dog Pistachio, their parents have no choice but to sell the dog.  The kids decide that they can’t let this happen.  Instead they decide to sell their parents. They change the sign in the front yard from “Dog for Sale” to “Parents for Sale”. Children from all over the neighborhood come to see about these parents because they aren’t happy with their own.  Some suggest trading parents.  None of this seems like the best solution. Finally a fairy comes and offers to take the parents off of their hands.  What she offers is too much for them to turn down. Then her true colors show through. She is actually a witch.  Read to find out how this book turns out.

The Jumble Jungle by Michael Sasson

Jumble Jungle is a story of differences.  The author talks about different animals and how they are all different yet are all the same in some ways. He then points out that we are all a part of this conglomeration of animals. We are all different in our own ways yet must learn to get along together. This is a great story to teach your children about appreciating differences.

Sunny the Snail and Colorful Crayons by Karmen Sanda

This story is about Sunny the Snail. He is one of seven baby snails. Since they all have yellow shells their mother Sally Snail has trouble telling them apart. Sunny goes for a walk to try to find a solution to the problem. Read this wonderfully cute book to see if Sunny finds a solution. Great story about individualism.

The True Spirit of Christmas by Dorothy Thurgood Manning

First let me say that these pictures are absolutely gorgeous. Maddie is a young girl who loves everything about Christmas. Unfortunately she always wants more. On Christmas Eve she sees Santa putting presents under her tree and wants to know why she doesn’t have more gifts. What he tells her is a lesson all children should learn.

The New Cat by Patrick S. Stemp and Anita Soelvar

I loved this book. Cat loves chasing shadows, playing with her catnip ball eating fish and sleeping on her rug in the rays of sunshine.  One day her owners bring home a bundle. Cat sets out to teach “new cat” the ropes. Cat keeps hoping to find something in common with new cat.  Cat tries to share her catnip ball, but new cat likes his chew toy. Instead of chasing shadows, New Cat is taken for a walk.  Will cat and New Cat ever find something in common?  Read this cute book to find out why Cat and New Cat are so different.

Too Many Fairies: A Celtic Tale by Margaret Read MacDonald

Once an old woman was cleaning her house when she began to grumble about all of the work. A fairy knocked on her door and took over her chore. Every time the old woman started a new chore and then grumbled a new fairy knocked and took over. Soon there were too many fairies in the house and they were driving the old lady nuts, because they refused to leave.  How will she ever get rid of all of these fairies?

Lucy the Tortoise: My Big Adventure by Sheila Rockley

This story is about a real tortoise and her real life disappearance. Some of the story was made up to appeal to children. Lucy is happy living with her family. She loves the food they give her, the fun she has with them, and her comfortable bed. One day Lucy meets a bunny and follows him out of her yard. She can’t find the bunny and becomes lost trying to find her way back home.  A woman finds her and takes her to a pond, demonstrating she doesn’t know the difference between a turtle and a tortoise. This story teaches children about the dangers of talking to, and following strangers, which is what Lucy did when she followed the bunny. It also teaches kids the differences between turtles and tortoises.  Read to find out what happens to Lucy.

Please Don’t Tickle the Tiger by Ryan Cedar

This is a collection of simple and short poems that cover everything from the “Marshmallow Tree”, one of my favorites, to why it is important not to tickle tigers. These are fun, simple rhyming poems. If read to a child without the illustrations they have enough vivid language for the child to create their own mental picture. This is a book I want to use in my poetry unit next year at school.

The Story of Noah’s Ark by Jonathan West 

This is a very accurate (according to the Bible) retelling of Noah and the Ark. The illustrations are beautiful. This is a great book to read to children and grandchildren to teach them not only the story, but the message of listening to and following God’s instructions.

Nuts About Nuts – Shir Guez

This book is written to teach about the value of nuts. The author does a great job describing the different kinds of nuts as well as their importance to the body. She discusses which nuts contain which vitamins. Although this is written to inform children, I learned a lot about nuts.

Dinosaurs by Rose Leo

The author takes us through the different types of dinosaurs, their habitats, where they were found, foods, fossils, and even when and where they have been found. The book talks about how scientists have figured out where they lived or what they ate, and how they got their names. As I read this book I kept thinking about a former student who wants to be a paleontologist. I thought that this is the type of book that would inspire kids like him

The Enterprising Chipmunk by Gramps Doodlebug

Khalee the chipmunk prefers digging burrows to hunting for food. When their supplies run low he is forced to find his own food. His first trip out he finds some mushrooms. When his luck runs out he takes food he didn’t know belonged to a squirrel. He leaves on a journey to find food for his family. Read this wonderful tale to find out how Khalee outsmarts an alligator, fox and snake and provides food for his family.

Peculiar Children Books Series with Virtues: Tall Tales

The Karate Shepherd by Walter Rouzer

This is a story of a banjo playing farmer and his sheep. When he ends up in the hospital the sheep are taken care of by a karate sheep the farmer had ordered. But, what will happen when Woolley Lee is captured by the wolves?

Perfect Pam and the Big Bad Wolf by Walter Rouzer

Perfect Pam doesn’t follow her mother’s rules about staying on the road to school When she takes a shortcut through the woods she finds herself in trouble. A wolf starts following her. Will her persistence pay off?

Wolf City by Walter Rouzer

This is a kind of reverse fairy tale. Binky Pig drives to a restaurant run by wolves. ON the menu is the world’s best and lightest popcorn. What happens when Binky demands more and tries to force his way into the wolf’s house? What are the consequences of “making a pig” out of himself?

Diary of Chris B. Bacon by Walter Rouzer

This is a look at one week in the life of Chris and is full of lines of wisdom throughout the book.

Stories for Children 7 by Francois Bissonnette

I love this author’s stories. I actually used this book in my fairy tale unit at school this year. The first story was about a beautiful princess. A king in a nearby kingdom wanted to marry her because of her beauty so he sends a nobleman to convince her to marry him. She sends the nobleman on three tasks before she will agree. He fulfills each of the tasks and they realize they love each other. However,  he is loyal to his king so she goes with him. Read to find out how this story ends happily ever after.

The second story is of three brothers and a princess. Leopold the oldest is in love with a princess. He needs to present the king with a rare gift so he will agree to the marriage of his daughter to Leopold. All three brothers set out to find the rarest gift. They end up using all three gifts to save the princess and win her hand for Leopold.

Stories for Children 8 by Francois Bissonnette

The Magic Lamp is the first story in this book. A young merchant finds a beggar in the street and takes him home where he feeds him and allows him to sleep in his bed. He learns the man lost everything searching for a treasure from a map he had bought.  Now all he wants is to go home.  The merchant buys the map and helps the man get back home.  The merchant looks for the treasure and finds a chest with a magic lamp inside. What will he wish for?

The second story takes place in India. Kanak is a small dog chased by bigger dogs. He is welcomed into a bakers shop with the hope that Kanak’s owner will find him. Kanak helps the baker by finding fake coins people try to give him. One day a young woman enters. She buys bread and the dog points out the fake coin. The woman motions for Kanak to follow her.  She is a magician. What has she discovered about Kanak?

Oliver and Jumpy stories 10-12 by Werner Stejskal

In “Unhappy Dog” Oliver the elegant cat goes to play golf. Every time he passes a dog ,the dog barks at him. He learns the dog is lonely. Can Oliver help him?

In “Kite High” Oliver, Jumpy, and Joey attach a parachute to their cart and go flying down the beach. Suddenly the strong winds lift them high in the sky. How will they ever get down?

In “Butterfly Trouble” a butterfly lands on Oliver’s nose while he is napping.  His sneezing wakes him up and the butterfly asks for his help rescuing his friends.

This trio of stories is all about friendship and helping each other.

Oliver and Jumpy Stories 13-15 by Werner Stejskal

In “Babysitting” Oliver helps out Mr. and Mrs. Bear by babysitting their son. One of Bearly’s favorite games is hide-and-go-seek.  They each know all of the hiding places. What happens when Bearly hides so well that Oliver can’t find him?

In “Good Deed Day” Oliver helps his friends Stripey and Mrs. Piggy.  Stripey is sad because she lost her baby. She doesn’t eat any more and she is sad all the time.  Mrs. Piggy has so many piglets she is having trouble taking care of all of them. Can Oliver find a solution to this problem?

In “Magic” we have a story of the Land of Sillandia where Oliver and his friends live. Everyone who lives here must learn basic magic. Follow Oliver and his friends as they take their first lessons.

Oliver and Jumpy Stories 16-18 by Werner Stejskal

In “Who Am I” Oliver gets hit in the head by a falling coconut. He doesn’t remember who or what he is. Follow along as he tries to get his memory back.

Next we have “Up the Tree”. Oliver has always wanted to climb a really tall tree not too far from his treehouse. He starts his journey and meets many animals who live in the tree. At the top he meets a group of gnomes who throw a party for him. 

In “Moon Crystal” Oliver is asked by the president of Sillandia to travel to the moon to get more moon crystals for their hospital. He agrees to go if he can take his top hat, Joey and Jumpy. A giant flings them to the moon where they collect the moon crystals.  How will they ever get back since there is no giant on the moon to fling them back to earth?

If You Were me and Lived in China by Carole P. Roman

The author takes us on a trip to China where we learn that there are 135 billion people living there. We learn that names for children are chosen for their meaning, not just because they like the name. Most people who visit China visit the Great Wall of China.  They estimate it to be about 5,500 miles long.

The food you eat depends on where you live. In the north you eat Mandarin food; in the south you eat Cantonese food.  In the southwest you would eat Szechuan style food that is spicy, and in the southeast you eat seafood. Ping Pong is the favorite sport.  They have special things they do to prepare for the New Year.  As always this is a wonderful book to teach you about the culture and many wonderful things to do and see in China.

Two Great Fire Fighting Reads

Blood Sweat Tears and Prayers by Gary Ludwig

Genre: Biography
Source: I received a copy to facilitate my review. The opinions expressed here are my own.

This is a must read for anyone who is thinking about going into the service of an EMT/Paramedic or firefighter.  As I read this book I was reminded of one of my best friends and former co-workers at school.  Before becoming a tech person in our school district, he had retired from the Chicago Fire Department. My husband had been a firefighter way before we married.  When these two would get together they would start talking about "the good old days of fire fighting". I noticed a major difference in their stories. When it was just me with them I got a watered down version of the incident. When the two of them got together and I sat and listened they talked about things like waiting for the police to show up before they were allowed in because the site had to be secured.  They would talk in gruesome detail about the things they had seen and the smelled.  These were things they could never forget that changed them in some way.  If you talk to most fire fighters you get the basic details from them and nothing more.

Reading this book was like sitting down with my husband and Ron.  Chief Ludwig laid everything out bare. You heard the good, the bad, and the ugly.  You heard of the triumphs and the rewards of a profession that most people didn't think about until after 9/11.  I have never ever wanted to be a fire fighter. I have a terrible fear of fire that goes back to several incidents on our farm. One was growing up and trying to put out a grass fire that occurred when wind blew trash out and caught a field on fire. I remember using wet gunny sacks to beat back the flames until the fire department finally got out to our farm.  I remember the pain of trying to peel off nylon socks that had gotten so hot they had started to melt to my legs.  The second incident occurred while we were at church. My uncle actually interrupted the Wednesday service to tell us our farm was on fire.  An arsonist had set the barn on fire that caught several other buildings on fire.  I remember sitting on the roof of the house all night watching, afraid the fire would spread.  I remember the kind words of the firemen telling us it would be okay and that they would come back the next day to check for hot spots.

As Chief Ludwig demonstrated in his book, firefighting goes way beyond putting out a fire or rescuing someone.  It takes your complete mind, body and soul and leaves its on scars and imprints upon it.  If can be a very heart wrenching job and at the same time a very fulfilling job.  Read this book so that you can have a greater appreciation for those men and women who put their lives on the line daily.  I definitely recommend this book.

Heroes and Giants by Douglas B. Ashby

Genre: Adult, Biography
Source: I received a copy to facilitate my review. The opinions expressed here are my own.

This book gives us another look at the profession of a fire fighter.  We see once again the toll it takes on the physical, mental and spiritual well being of that person.  This book also gave us a look at the type of person best suited for this job as well as the type of person best suited to be their spouse.  The pressure and sights forced upon these men and women is tremendous.  They often withdraw into themselves.  A spouse needs to know that there will be times when they just want quite solitude to process what they have had to deal with that day.  There will be times when they need to just sit and cry or talk.  This is not a job for every one.  These people must be dedicated.

Their experiences also help shape the way that they deal with their family. They are often overly protective.  This is because sometimes the things they see are so terrible that they want to hug their family and thank God for what they have at home.  They have to learn how to balance their work and their home life and not let one intrude upon the other.  Once again I would recommend this to anyone who is considering going into this field. I would also recommend this to those who are just curious about what goes on in the life of a fire fighter.

FunGkins: The Battle For Halladon by C. Raymond Gray

Genre: Middle Grade, Fantasy
Source: I received a copy to facilitate my review. The opinions expressed here are my own.

From Goodreads:
With the evil Leprechauns (The Shangaar), hot on their trail, who would ever guess that the fate of the littlest people would fall on the shoulders of a 10-year-old human girl named Clara Gooday? Her unwavering belief in the Littlest People may be the very thing that saves The FunGkins and all of Halladon from a fate worse than death.

But first, she will have to deal with the evil Mr. Mustashio; he is one hundred and fifty years old but doesn't look a day over forty. Working for the evil leprechauns, he has moved into the funeral home next door, masquerading as an undertaker. But why have he and his sly talking dog Snodsty come to town? Clara is sure Mr. Mustashio is evil and is out to capture the FunGkins.

With her trusty magic telescope in hand; she can become invisible at will. Armed with her bag of tricks it's her plan to watch every move, the seven foot tall skinny man and his talking dog make.

Clara Gooday lives in Pirate's Cove a small town on the coast of the Atlantic Ocean. The town has strangers living there. With their bird-like features, they are even stranger looking. Some are good while others are pure evil. They all came to Pirate's Cove the day Clara was born. But for what reason are they there? Who is Clara really? What secret does she hold? What if she's part of the legend foretold?

Clara has many questions, but when she meets two FunGkins she and her Aunt Tilly are shrunken down to size, and whisked off to the magical world of Mushroom Valley. There all of her questions will be answered. Accompanied by her Aunt Tilly a school teacher.

Clara's journey will take you on a roller coaster ride of adventure. One where there are so many twists and turns that there are just too many to mention here. So if it's a thrilling adventure, you have been looking for buckle your seat belt and hold on tight, for this is a ride you can enjoy all day and all through the night. 

My Thoughts:
This is a very visual read. What do I mean by this? The descriptions of the fairies, leprechauns and other characters, along with the settings are so well described you can see them in you mind.  It is like reading and watching a movie at the same time. Because Clara has always believed in the little people she is the one that fate has decided must save them.  The plot moves at a quick pace so it will keep those reluctant readers turning pages.  I felt this was better suited for upper elementary to lower middle grades.