Month: May 2015

Doorway to Deephollow by K.A. Lovold

Review - Submitted

 

I received this book for free in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.  2015 B.R.A.G. MEDALLION HONOREE

Each day is a struggle for fourteen-year-old Gracie Harrold as she moves through Westside Middle School after her older brother’s sudden disappearance.  Not only does she have to deal with her feelings but those of his friends and teachers that remember him, as well as her parents.

“The reality that Ethan was gone, and her heart ached.  Her life had turned upside down two years ago when Ethan left school and never returned home.”

After a particularly challenging day when Bianca and Zoey were at the height of their bullying Gracie, Gracie opened her locker … again her world turned upside down!  Staring back at her was a young girl with a gaping mouth and wide eyes INSIDE her locker!  Questioning her sanity, Gracie flees.

Another chance encounter in the locker and Anwen of Aldermarsh Pond introduces herself to Gracie and welcomes Gracie into her world. Gracie has found a world that is fun, filled with fairies and huge butterflies and other creatures.  She feels stronger and different.  She no longer has to witness her parents grieving; she is free.

There is a great evil that would destroy both worlds given an opportunity or worse yet – Gracie and her friends.  “Not all of who know the ancient secrets will welcome this outsider to Aldermarsh Pond.  There is even one who wanders in and out …”

Gracie must make a decision – discover the truth or live in fear jeopardizing her family and friends.

K.A. Lovold does an excellent job of bringing two worlds together making them realistic and connected. Her vivid descriptions bring the creatures and characters to life. She is masterful at pulling the heartstrings and making the reader feel the sense of loss and joy that Gracie experiences.  One can almost see the look on Gracie’s face when she speaks of her parent’s overprotectiveness.

Lovold is skillful in building the plot making the existence of the two worlds seem natural and real.  As a reader, I was worried that I would not be able to connect to the characters or plot given my age.  Lovold is a crafter of words and stories – any and all ages will enjoy this book.  A delightful book for the young and young at heart.  It is a must read!

As a 2015 B.R.A.G. Medallion Honoree, WordsAPlenty gives this book a 5 star rating and looks forward to the next installment.

Purchase this book at http://www.amazon.com/Doorway-Deephollow-K-Lovold-ebook/dp/B00NQIVIVS/

 

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A Chasing After The Wind by Jim Carson

Review - Submitted

I received this book for free in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.  A B.R.A.G. MEDALLION HONOREE

“You are my sunshine . . . my only sunshine . . . you make me hap-py . . . when skies are
gray . . .” Rose kissed Mack on the head and continued singing.”

Thus begins a very powerful novel by Jim Carson, A Chasing After The Wind.  I don’t enjoy crying or feeling too sad so for me, the first fifteen pages were the hardest to get through because my heart strings were being pulled – you could almost anticipate what was going to happen, you would cringe just knowing what the finals words of the prologue were going to be.   This is how powerful Carson sets the stage for Mack and his life.

Mack finds many ways to make life work for him.  He has help from Buck, Irish and Father O’Brien building him a strong support system and ways of encouraging his growth from becoming a “spoiled rotten brat.” Street smart and headed down the path of a life of crime, Mack’s aunt Irish rescues him. Irish begins to build opportunities for Mack to become fearless, rich and a formidable, well respected man.  Irish sets him out on his path to become an elite member of the Black Ops followed by enrolling at Harvard thus cementing his future.  However, Mack deviates from this path and finds himself living simply and happily.

Life is disappointing for Mack as he finds himself nearly destitute and with thousands of dollars of debt hanging over his head and losing his inheritance and home that he had come to love.  This is where the true adventure begins. The training he received as a younger man and his values that were drilled in him, he finds a way to make life grander and take care of his friends.

Carson delivers a powerful adventure that allows one to see the world from a different point of view.  The descriptions were extraordinarily vivid and rich in detail.  The plot line was fully developed.  Carson departs from the stereotypical good guy and shows that even the good guy might be slightly tainted.  Tainted or not, Mack is an underdog who overcomes obstacles and triumphs.  Carson takes what might be an expected path and throws in a few twists and turns, leaving the reader “not seeing the outcome” ahead of time.

Carson builds each character skillfully allowing for connections between the reader and the characters to grow while immersing the reader fully into the novel.

“Mack sat on the side of the bed, staring at the blank wall until he heard the wheelhouse door close. He stood up and looked outside at the darkness. Did I just dodge a bullet or what?”  Mack’s last thoughts demonstrate that his adventure is not over.  He’s been lucky so far, but will his luck hold out with his latest dangerous situation?  Will he once again lose his chance at “happiness?”

I cannot wait to read the next in this trilogy series.  An excellent novel for those who enjoy adventure, coming of age and military reads.  Carson successfully delivers a strong, excellently written novel.  I expect the next to be equally strong.

As a 2015 B.R.A.G. Medallion Honoree, WordsAPlenty gives this book a 5 star rating and looks forward to the next installment.

To purchase from Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Chasing-After-Wind-Jim-Carson-ebook/dp/B00PPPHVY8/

Additional Comments:

I too enjoyed this book and found it excellent. I just wanted to add my comments.  Email by Joye Thetforde

 

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Dogs Don’t Look Both Ways: A Primer on Unintended Consequences by Jane Hanser

Review - Submitted

I received this book for free in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.  2015 B.R.A.G. MEDALLION HONOREE for Literary Fiction.

Dogs Don’t Look Both Ways: A Primer on Unintended Consequences is about a very special and unique Labrador full of vivacious energy and curiosity that is guaranteed to get him into trouble.  Told from the view of Joey Hanser, the beautiful chocolate Lab, we are regaled with moments that make you tremble from laughter and others that make you gasp in fear.

“If I were a king or a prince in the top of a tower surveying all of my hands, I couldn’t have been happier than I was there, on my wall.”

Joey is a well behaved dog for the most part except when he’s not being watched by his mom and dad or when he’s in the backyard or somehow “contained.”  That’s when Joey gets into trouble.  Joey and Officer O’Connell of Animal Control have a unique and friendly relationship.

“Officer O’Connell is another community friend who is not afraid of me.  He has another name: Animal Control.  Everyone once in a while when I escaped our home or property through some secret means, Animal control came to where I’d been found … He pleasantly opened the back doors of the Animal Control Police van, into which I jumped; then he closed those doors and drove and drove.” 

Told from Joey’s perspective, the reader is given insight in the relationship between him and his parents, what his heart desires, and why he might be so inquisitive.   We see first-hand how he recognizes when mom and/or dad are unhappy, who has treats for him and how to escape like Houdini!

This is a delightful story.  It makes pet owners appreciate their beloved pets and makes others wishful for a dog just like Joey.  Hanser tells of the ups and downs of owning Joey but not once is there any expression of regret.  It is clear that Joey is, has and always will be a loved member of the family.  It is inevitable that tears will flow but there will be greater amounts of laughter and there will be those “duh” moments that all dog owners will face palm themselves and so “that’s what he/she wanted.”

Not only does Hanser provide vivid and rich detail but she pulls on your heart strings.  You can almost feel the same pain and joy they have experienced because of Joey.   This was a very well written book told in a style that is both simple and easy to read.  The reader has no choice but to connect with Joey as he is persistent and a joy. This book resonates with his personality and innocence.  Once you begin reading this book you will have difficulty putting it down.

WordsAPlenty rates this book with a 5-star rating.

This book may be purchased at http://www.amazon.com/Dogs-Dont-Look-Both-Ways-ebook/dp/B00JM02DM2/

 

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South of The Burnt Rocks West of the Moon by G.J. Berger

Review - Submitted

I received this book for free in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.  A B.R.A.G. MEDALLION HONOREE

South of the Burnt Rocks West of the Moon is a story of historical fiction set during the Roman era in Iberia and vividly portrays the Roman’s vile and hostile methods of conquering and ruling.  While some authors choose to portray the Roman’s in a romantic manner, G.J. Berger does not.

A young and innocent 11 year-old Lavena, daughter of the village leader, witnesses the horrific death of an elderly farmer by the brutal hands of a Roman soldier.  This was just the beginning of Roman brutality in Iberia and for Lavena.

A few years later, the Roman army is seeking out gold, slaves and women for their use and monetary gain destroying and killing.  Forced to flee her home by attacking Romans, Lavena becomes the Iberian-Celtic she-warrior that legends are made. Lavena becomes a one woman army making a stand against the cruel and mighty Romans that killed her family and friends and destroyed her home.

“Gracchus looked at the armed men standing at the tent flap.  They seemed to nod gently.  They too had been spooked by unseen ghosts cutting down soldiers …”

Like locusts, the Roman army is a plague on all villages.  Seeking help, Lavena fines one village that knows of her father.  Hoping to band together, Lavena remains.  During the night the village is attacked by a small contingency of Roman soldiers leaving all village adult males dead and their women vulnerable.  Lavena steps into leadership role easily and becomes the she-warrior that Romans come to fear in the months ahead.

“Never has our land had such a warrior.”

Leading a small army of 5, Lavena begins her crusade of picking the Roman army off – one soldier at a time.  Cunning and wit allows Lavena and her small band of warriors to make the Romans take notice and build a strong ally among the Iberian villages for the final battle.

Berger builds on lust, greed and desires of an empire that is infamous thus creating a strong story line.   Berger has impeccable character development connecting the reader to all characters both main and minor.   I found Lavena to be fascinating and very personable.  Even with Marcus, a roman soldier, I connected to his pain of having his faith and belief ripped away and his need to find something or someone to believe in.

This book will have you looking at women differently, seeing their strength and resiliency.  The writing style is fresh and direct but not overwhelming.   This author and book is a B.R.A.G. Medallion honoree.

WordsAPlenty gives this book a 5 star review.

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