This is the first book I've read by Torey Hayden, but I doubt it'll be the last. "Beautiful Child" is a devastating book about the consequences of chiThis is the first book I've read by Torey Hayden, but I doubt it'll be the last. "Beautiful Child" is a devastating book about the consequences of child abuse and Torey's love and dedication to the children she helps is an inspiration to read....more
I'm giving this 5 stars because Ann M. Martin took a very difficult topic and handled it well. It's always risky to tackle heavy topics because you haI'm giving this 5 stars because Ann M. Martin took a very difficult topic and handled it well. It's always risky to tackle heavy topics because you have to do it well, or it's better not to do it at all. Here she managed to give an age-appropriate solution to a dangerous situation. Well done....more
"A Redbird Christmas" is literary candyfloss. A feel-good book, but for once I'd have to say it's almost too good, and I found myself shaking my head "A Redbird Christmas" is literary candyfloss. A feel-good book, but for once I'd have to say it's almost too good, and I found myself shaking my head more than once at how perfectly everything just seemed to work out. It's good for a cozy Christmas afternoon at home, snuggled up with a book, but not much else.
I did like Oswald Campbell though. A very sympathetic anti-hero....more
The Thirteenth Tale is an amazing book. Slowly but surely the story is unfolded through one layer after another. Just when you think there can't be anThe Thirteenth Tale is an amazing book. Slowly but surely the story is unfolded through one layer after another. Just when you think there can't be any more surprises waiting for you, another one shows up. I'd guessed the last one ahead of time though, and am feeling awfully satisfied with myself ;) It's one of those books that I can't say exactly why I love, because the plot itself was nothing special, but the atmosphere and the writing style were, and adds up to create a book that's difficult to put down....more
I originally picked up Saving Faith because despite the fact that it was published more than 18 months ago, there was still no reviews or ratings of iI originally picked up Saving Faith because despite the fact that it was published more than 18 months ago, there was still no reviews or ratings of it here and only one review of it on Amazon. That is highly unusual, and made me curious. After having read it, I understand the lack of reviews though, because it's very difficult to figure out what to say about it. The premise seemed original, and the plot would probably have been very interesting, if only the characters had managed to win my affection. It wasn't that I actually disliked the characters - I just discovered that I simply didn’t care about them or their plight at all. This made it difficult to get properly engaged in the story, which is a shame, as it was otherwise very well written, so I don't know exactly why the characters failed to win my sympathy.
The ending is either a stroke of brilliancy or frustratingly anti-climatic. I haven't quite figured out which yet, and will leave that verdict up to other readers to decide for him- or herself. ...more
Very entertaining fairytale - and for once I mean that in the most literal sense of the word. Kelpies, pixies, fairies and hags all abound in this booVery entertaining fairytale - and for once I mean that in the most literal sense of the word. Kelpies, pixies, fairies and hags all abound in this book - showing us that Shakespeare perhaps knew more about the Seelie and Unseelie Court than originally assumed ;) As a modern fairytale I thought it quite a bit better than Holly Black's "Tithe", but still rather similar in style....more
To all outward appearances Jeff and Cheryl had the perfect marriage: intimacy, love and affection. Unfortunately the romance was only skin-deep. Jeff To all outward appearances Jeff and Cheryl had the perfect marriage: intimacy, love and affection. Unfortunately the romance was only skin-deep. Jeff and Cheryl show that it isn't enough just to feel in love, you actually have to choose to be in love, and work on furthering your relationship with the person you’re with. If you don't work on connecting with your partner, and don't speak the same love language, eventually the frustration of emotional emptiness will relentlessly take its toll on your marriage.
For Cheryl her frustration led her to an affair and - as she saw no way back - a divorce. But despite her desire to get out of the marriage, she never felt at peace with the situation, and as she let God into her life, she discovers that her plans for her life were the exact opposite of God's plans. Slowly she has to learn to trust in God with all her heart, and not lean on her own understand, but submit completely and wilfully. It's not easy to suddenly obey when you've been used to having your own way for so long, but Cheryl realises that her selfishness never brought her anything good, and it's time to do this God’s way.
Seven years later, Jeff and Cheryl once again stood at the altar, saying their I Dos - again.
I Do Again goes right to the heart of the matter - God's place in a marriage. Amazingly enough hardly any time is spent on what Cheryl did to Jeff and what Jeff did to Cheryl that eventually led to their divorce - because it's not relevant. What is relevant is what both of them failed to do the first time around, and so completely embraced the second time around - making God an integral part of their marriage, realizing that it's not about them, but about Him.
Cheryl and Jeff Scruggs show that it's possible for a marriage to survive a crisis if God is allowed in. They're a living example of how God's miracles affect a relationship, and remind us that it's never too late to ask God be part of our marriage....more
I was a bit hesitant at first as the writing style really didn't appeal to me. It was much too immature, and it seemed as if Lenahan couldn't make up I was a bit hesitant at first as the writing style really didn't appeal to me. It was much too immature, and it seemed as if Lenahan couldn't make up his mind as to the level of detail he wanted to go into. The latter improved through the book though, and as the story is told with Connor's "voice", once you get to know him, the immaturity of the writing style actually fits very well. I liked the book and the fairytale-ness of the plot and characters - especially Mother Oak. My one complaint is the ending, which came as a complete surprise and seemed very sudden. This isn't a problem if it turns out that "Shadowmagic" is the first in a series, but if it's meant to stand alone, it's both unexpected and unsatisfying.
Had it not been for the ending, it would probably have deserved another star....more
"Dear Enemy" is the sequel to "Daddy Long-Legs" and in my opinion just as good. I love hearing about Sally's experiences leading the orphanage and fin"Dear Enemy" is the sequel to "Daddy Long-Legs" and in my opinion just as good. I love hearing about Sally's experiences leading the orphanage and find the writing style very charming. It's one of those comfort books that I keep returning to when I'm the need for some wholesome entertainment.
Reread 2022: I wasn't as enamoured by the book this time around, but I'm not going to adjust my rating as I'm very inclined to think the Danish translation I got my hands on has been abridged. I'm too lazy to actually go contrast and compare though :-P ...more
An odd book in that I can see how it could really appeal to some people, but it just didn't "do it" for me. Part of it is that I'm too old, and part oAn odd book in that I can see how it could really appeal to some people, but it just didn't "do it" for me. Part of it is that I'm too old, and part of it is that I've never really been too fond of horror books. However, it'll be just perfect for kids who've outgrown Goosebumps but who aren't quite old enough for Stephen King yet....more
A gorgeous fantasy novel with lots of humour, romance and action. I was especially intrigued by how Tashi and Ramil not only had to learn how to get aA gorgeous fantasy novel with lots of humour, romance and action. I was especially intrigued by how Tashi and Ramil not only had to learn how to get along, but had to learn to accept the traditions and culture of each other's countries.
And I was totally taken in by Tashi's self-appointed protector Gordoc, who in his simple-mindedness often ended up more insightful than all of his so-called 'knowledgeable' friends....more
In "Immortal Warrior" we're sent back to England at the start of the last millennium. Ivo, Brand and Ari are slowly learning to live with the hideous In "Immortal Warrior" we're sent back to England at the start of the last millennium. Ivo, Brand and Ari are slowly learning to live with the hideous curse an evil witch cast upon them a century before. They have to live half as man, half as beasts, in an age where any discovery of such witchcraft would have them all captured by the church and burned as demons at the stake. A fate that would be worse for them than for most, as they'd cursed with immortality as well, but could still feel pain.
Ivo is now faced with a new challenge as his king has ordered him to marry - but how to live with a wife without risking discovery... and destruction.
Lady Alaida is headstrong and not at all satisfied with being forced to marry just so that the king can gain control over her family's castle. However, she soon discovers that Ivo is nothing like her earlier suitors, and that she could be very happy together with him... if only he didn't disappear off to go hunting with Brand before dawn every morning.
"Immortal Warrior" is the first book in a very promising new Paranormal Romance series. I picked it up one rainy afternoon, and had to force myself to put it down in order to at least get some sleep before work the next day. The characters are believable and the plot captivating... even if I did find myself thinking "Just TELL her already! She can cope!" with increasing frequency.
My one problem with the book is the seemingly gratuitous sex scenes. While steaming hot and in some ways necessary to further the plot, they did occasionally appear out of character and anachronistic. Still, the rest of the book was so amazing that I can easily forgive Lisa Hendrix this one indulgence.
I've hugely enjoyed the book and am already looking forward to getting my hands on the next in the series, because while Lisa Hendrix very nicely tied up the events of this plot, there are still other threads left to explore....more
Not very well-written, but a fascinating story nonetheless. And Akiane's paintings just blow me away.Not very well-written, but a fascinating story nonetheless. And Akiane's paintings just blow me away....more
Sweet YA fiction, very similar in style to "The Sisterhood of the Travelling Pants", only this book lets us see the beginning of a friendship. How thrSweet YA fiction, very similar in style to "The Sisterhood of the Travelling Pants", only this book lets us see the beginning of a friendship. How three very different girls, thrown together for a summer by circumstances, can become the most important people in each other lives. Mostly aimed at girls age 13-18, but well enough written that I'd recommend it to anybody who enjoys YA....more
I'm having a hard time deciding exactly what I think about this book. On one hand I read it in under 12 hours, so it definitely caught my attention, bI'm having a hard time deciding exactly what I think about this book. On one hand I read it in under 12 hours, so it definitely caught my attention, but on the other hand it almost repulsed me, because the "hero" was so unpleasant. It's obviously aimed at teenage girls, but I'm not sure I'd feel comfortable letting a (hypothetical) daughter of mine read it until she was quite a bit older, precisely because the hero throughout the most of the book is threatening and manipulative.
The book is well written however, and the characters real enough that you want to reach in and shake them for making such bad decisions. Turns out there's a reason for it all though, and the author manages to tie all threads together very nicely in the end....more
It's funny - if I had to describe the atmosphere of Spiral Hunt I'd say it reminded me more of Neil Gaiman's American Gods than anything else, but wheIt's funny - if I had to describe the atmosphere of Spiral Hunt I'd say it reminded me more of Neil Gaiman's American Gods than anything else, but whereas I was bored to tears by AG, I loved SH. The plot was fascinating although at times a tad hard to follow, as I'm not too well versed in mythology. Unfortunately apart from Evie, the characters weren't as fleshed out as I would have liked, but as it's the first book in a series, one can always hope that'll come in the sequels....more
Very promising first book in a new fantasy trilogy. I literally couldn't put it down and read it in one sitting despite having plenty of other things Very promising first book in a new fantasy trilogy. I literally couldn't put it down and read it in one sitting despite having plenty of other things to do. Can't wait to get my hands on the next two books.
Reread in 2011 in preparation of book two in the series. Every bit as good as on my first read-through - good thing I have "Demonglass" readily available so I can start it straight away!...more
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