HALF A CHANCE by Cynthia Lord (Adult & Young Reader review included)

It was unknown to my ten year old son when he picked up this book that I had taken four years of photography in school and had majored in the subject for three years in college.  Therefore, when the girl started talking about backgrounds, subjects, lighting and F-stops, it was easy for me to follow right along with her.

Here’s the third book in our Mother – Son Book Club!

“I’m here. Where are you?”     ~    “I’m here!”

HALF A CHANCE by Cynthia Lord

2016 Mark Twain Nominee

 

BOOK DESCRIPTION

When Lucy's family moves to an old house on a lake, Lucy tries to see her new home through her camera's lens, as her father has taught her -- he's a famous photographer, away on a shoot. Will her photos ever meet his high standards? When she discovers that he's judging a photo contest, Lucy decides to enter anonymously. She wants to find out if her eye for photography is really special -- or only good enough.

As she seeks out subjects for her photos, Lucy gets to know Nate, the boy next door. But slowly the camera reveals what Nate doesn't want to see: his grandmother's memory is slipping away, and with it much of what he cherishes about his summers on the lake. This summer, Nate will learn about the power of art to show truth. And Lucy will learn how beauty can change lives . . . including her own.

MY REVIEW

2.5 out of 5 *Stars*

I have to be completely honest here… I don’t believe there was anything about this book that will stay with me.  It was a quick and easy read, I’ll give it that, but it lacked the emotion that I like to feel when being drawn into a new book.

It centered on a girl, Lucy, who was desperate for more love and attention from her father.  So desperate that she entered a photography contest that was being judged by him, so he could see how truly good she was.  In turn, he would find her more fascinating than the things that kept pulling him away across the world.  

Teamed up with new neighbors that quickly become her friends, she checks off all the topics for the photography scavenger hunt, each chapter being labeled a certain category, and ends up learning more about life, sorrow and the ordinary beauty that surrounds us every day.    

“Even in the midst of horrible things, there are little bits of wonder, and all of its true.”

By the end of the book, after Lucy helped a family of loons as well as getting to know Grandma Lilah and her family, Lucy understood exactly what her father meant when he spoke those words.

With this book heavily dipped into the world of photography, you can only imagine how descriptive the scenes became.  As Lucy positioned her camera for a shot, she took into count the lighting, the background, the subject, the smell, and the overall feeling the picture brought forth in people.  This book captured all of that, and made it easily flow.  I never felt like a scene ran on too long to incorporate all of the information.

It was the plot that had me so unengaged. I know that there was supposed to be a profound message, and I got the meaning, but I had to dig deep to find it.  The story focused so much on the photography aspect and not enough on the emotion and action behind the camera.  It’s no surprise if someone believed that’s all the book had to offer; shutter speeds and backlighting…

************************* Young Reader Review ***************************

There’s not too much I have to say about this book.  I had a hard time connecting with it because of how much it talked about the photography.  I didn’t understand why it had to be like that because it made me lose track of what was going on with the characters. 

However I did like when they went to go visit the loons. It felt as if I was right there with them.  However, because of this, the part that I disliked the most ALSO included the loons. I won’t give anything away, but I will just say that it’s sad. 

I’m not sure that I liked the book too much, but I didn’t hate it either.  It was just a book.

Thank you.

***************************************************************************

Overall, I just didn’t connect with this story. It was a fast read that was cute and had great scenic descriptions, but I was constantly asking, “Why was the scene written, did it even need to be in there?”  I couldn’t help but analyze the book.  It was written in a way where getting lost in the story was nearly impossible.  I would probably direct someone to a more entertaining read, if asked.  Harsh, but true.

Until next time…

Happy Reading, Everyone!

“Goodbye isn’t the worst thing in the world. Sometimes it’s simply time to go.”

For more on this book and where you can find it, click here.

THE PLAYER by Kresley Cole

Lets start off this 2017 New Year with a good one! What better than one by my favorite author!?!

THE PLAYER by Kresley Cole

BOOK DESCRIPTION

In this searing stand-alone installment of the erotic Game Maker Series, #1 New York Times bestselling author Kresley Cole brings readers a tale of a man wracked with dark desires and the beautiful young woman who could sate him at last.

A madman with a shadowed past . . .
In the City of Sin, Dmitri Sevastyan finds her, Victoria Valentine--sexy, vulnerable, and in need of a protector. Obsession takes root deep inside him. Despite a history tainted with violation and betrayal, he will stop at nothing to possess her.

A grifter with nothing to lose . . .
Descended from a long line of con artists, twenty-three-year-old Victoria, a.k.a Vice, needs the score of a lifetime to keep her loved ones safe. She sets her sights on gorgeous and rich Dmitri Sevastyan. Even as the irresistible Russian toys with her body and mind, he tempts her heart.

Love is the ultimate wildcard.
When Vice and her associates maneuver Dmitri into a hasty Vegas wedding, he refuses to protect himself with a prenup, trusting her with all that he has. But can she trust him? As secrets unfold, the newlyweds share days of doubts and nights of the wickedest pleasures. Yet once Vice discovers her husband's past, will she stay to fight for her marriage or cut her losses and run?

MY REVIEW

5 out of 5 *Stars*

“Getting played never felt so good.”

Holy Cow! Kresley Cole has done it again.  I swear, I can’t figure out what my favorite series is of hers.  Every time I read a new book, the series it’s in becomes my new favorite series.  Right now, I’m loving me some hot Russians!

The Game Maker Series started off with The Professional…  A great book.  However, when book 2, The Master, came out, it became my favorite book of all time.  Now we have The Player.  I still believe Book 2 is my favorite, but this one is right up there close to it.

This book has drama, suspense, and A LOT of “make your body heat up till you need to fan yourself” love scenes. Page 1 draws you quickly into the story, and by the time you get to page 11, you’re hooked with no chance of putting it down until the book is finished. 

The characters were so compelling that your heart aches for them.  You NEED them to get their happily ever after! The sub characters were interesting as well, and any scene that involved them was just as entertaining as the last.  Not only that, the main characters from the first two books make a couple appearances.  The witty banter and heart melting connection is just as strong as in the other books.

The only criticism I have is that I wish there was a stronger conflict that the characters had to overcome, or even a villain.  The first two books had a conflict that made it seem almost impossible to overcome.  With this book, the way it ended was surprising, but it was always a given that everything would work out in the end.  I was waiting for that ultimate obstacle that really never came. 

Even with that, I’m still giving this book 5 stars.  It was a very entertaining and scandalous read that I would be happy to read again.  I wouldn’t expect any less from an author as talented as Kresley Cole!

Until next time…

Happy Reading, Everyone!!

For more on this book and where you can find it, click here.

A MILLION WAYS HOME by Dianna Dorisi Winget (Adult & Young Reader review included)

I swear my son is reading these books faster than I can keep up! He actually finished this one before I had time to read past page two.  Here is the next book in our Mother-Son Book Club.

A MILLION WAYS HOME by

                                   Dianna Dorisi Winget

BOOK DESCRIPTION

Poppy's life has been turned upside down after her grandma (and guardian) had a stroke and ended up in the hospital. But Poppy is working on a plan to help Grandma Beth so their life together can go back to normal. But when she witnesses an armed robbery, "back to normal" slips even further out of her reach. To keep Poppy safe, the budget-strapped police devise an unusual "witness protection program," wherein Poppy will stay with Detective Brannigan's mother. Soon Poppy is feeling almost at home, even making sort-of friends with a girl named Lizzie and definitely friending Gunner, a beautiful dog with an uncertain fate. But it's still not home. So while she and Lizzie navigate a rocky friendship and plot to save Gunner's life, Poppy also tries to figure out a new plan to save Grandma Beth and their home, all while avoiding a dangerous robber who might be searching for her. But what if Grandma Beth can never come home and the robber is put behind bars? What will happen to Poppy then?

MY REVIEW

4.5 out of 5 *Stars*

I couldn’t tell my son enough how much I loved that he chose this book for us to read.  I thoroughly enjoyed this Mark Twain Nominee.  This book shows a young girl’s struggle to make peace with life changing events, and to ultimately find where she truly belongs… her home.   

The story quickly took an eventful start, and never slowed down to take a breath.  In 242 pages, there was a heinous crime, enemies made, friendships started, illness, sadness, and life altering situations. 

Poppy is a self-sufficient and stubborn twelve year old.  She has the same stubbornness that I see every day in my own children.  It was hard to read about Grandma Beth because it reminded me so much of when my own grandmother got sick.  I started to notice the little changes in her appearance and hated that she wasn’t feeling better.  I never wanted to believe that she was really as sick as she was, and the thought never occurred to me that she would never get better.  When reading the emotions and thoughts going through twelve year old Poppy’s mind regarding her grandma, it brought the exact same emotions flooding back to me, and I was thirty when my grandma got sick.  Winget, the author, could not have hit this one more perfectly!

Everything that happened in the book, needed to happen.  There were no added characters or events that were meaningless. 

o   Did Grandma Beth have to get sick? Yes, because Poppy would have never been at that convenient store.

o   Did the robbery have to happen? Yes, because then Poppy never would have met Trey, his mom, and her friends.

o   Did the story of Gunner have to be there? Yes, because he gave Poppy a sense of direction when she felt so lost, and in helping him with his problems, she unexpectedly got answers to her own set as well.

o   What about the story of Virginia?  Of course, because Trey might not of been so adamant to help without that being part of his past. 

This was a great book.  If there was one thing I wish, is that there would have been an epilogue or one extra chapter.  For two days, my brain kept wanting to go back and finish reading the book before I remembered that I already had.  It wasn’t until my son pointed out all the loose ends that I figured out what the issue was.  I wanted to know what happened after the smoke cleared, maybe jump ahead a year later to clear up any unresolved question, because there were a lot.

********************5^th Grade Student Review********************

I believe this to be the best book I have ever read!  The very beginning was full of suspense when the robbery happened and turned out to be my favorite part of the book.  Out of all the “human” characters, Poppy was my favorite.  I liked how she was the only one to believe in the Gunner.  The shelter dog, Gunner, would be my overall favorite character, and I really enjoyed reading his journey. 

Even though I enjoyed the book, I didn’t like reading about Grandma Beth, it was too sad.  I also wish more would have been said about Gunner and what happened to him in the end.  It felt like it was too short of a story.

I still really enjoyed the book, and would tell anyone to read it.  Thank you.

*************************************************************

Overall, this was a really good book.  It makes me really glad to be in this Mother-Son Book Club because I never would have picked up this book without it, and that would have been a shame.  It doesn’t matter how old or young you are, this is a book that needs to be read.  Make sure you grab a box of tissue though, because you’ll need it.   

Until next time…
Happy Reading, Everyone!!!

ARCANA RISING by Kresley Cole

ARCANA RISING by Kresley Cole

Book 4 in The Arcana Chronicles

BOOK DESCRIPTION

Losses mount and deadly new threats converge in this next action-packed tale of the Arcana Chronicles by #1 New York Times bestselling author Kresley Cole.

When the battle is done . . .
The Emperor unleashes hell and annihilates an army, jeopardizing the future of mankind--but Circe strikes back. The epic clash between them devastates the Arcana world and nearly kills Evie, separating her from her allies.

And all hope is lost . . .
With Aric missing and no sign that Jack and Selena escaped Richter's reach, Evie turns more and more to the darkness lurking inside her. Two Arcana emerge as game changers: one who could be her salvation, the other her worst nightmare.

Vengeance becomes everything.
To take on Richter, Evie must reunite with Death and mend their broken bond. But as she learns more about her role in the future--and her chilling past--will she become a monster like the Emperor? Or can Evie and her allies rise up from Richter's ashes, stronger than ever before?

MY REVIEW

4.5 out of 5 *Stars*

It takes a lot for me to give a Kresley Cole book less than a five star review.  Read on why this fell a tad bit short.

After all was read and done, I was on the fence with this one, and wavering between 4 and 5 stars. 

Why I wanted to give it a 4…

My gut was literally aching when I was finished.  Once I finished the book, I was torn. The story did NOT turn out the way that I wanted it to.  Far from it!  It also didn’t help that it was almost 100 pages shorter than the other books in the series.  I waited so long, and when I was finally holding the book, I thought, “What the hell is this?” I felt gypped. 

Why I wanted to give it a 5…

It took me roughly 6 hours to finish the book. I started reading when the kids went to bed, and before I knew it, it was 3:30am. Even though I still had 100 pages left, I had to literally force myself to put down the book.  I HAD to know what was going to happen next.  Even though I didn’t like a lot of what happened, and grudgingly spent the whole book hoping for a surprise twist, I couldn’t put it down. 

I wanted to cry.  I wanted to throw the book across the room in protest, and now I feel uneasy that it’s finished.  The story and character development had me so hooked, my emotions were freaking tied to these characters.  When something bad happened to one, my heart ached for them. THAT is the making of a great book, as well as author.

I can’t let my bitterness over the outcome of a story effect my review of the book itself, but I still can’t bring myself to give it a perfect 5 star review.

The story is a whirlwind of events.  The main player here is obviously Evie.  Honestly, after reading this, she is not my favorite person right now.  Hopefully she can redeem herself to me this spring in the next book, The Dark Calling.  Pardon my language… but if I could bitch slap an imaginary character, she would be at the top of my list. 

She is hurting and vulnerable.  The book is filled with choices she has to make. Choosing to trust, choosing to move on, choosing to believe, and choosing love.  That dreaded love triangle is back. Ugh! The readers get sucked into the mind and emotional turmoil of a broken teenage girl that has experienced tremendous amounts of loss, making her think and act older than she truly is. 

“Empress lives. Her smile died.”  ~ Matto

This book is defiantly a darker side to the series.  The witty banter is at a minimum, and emotions are at an all-time low with the hope of “blowing up the machine” (the game) slowly dwindling.  Even I turned into a cynic; second guessing other characters that once had my full trust.

New characters arise, ones that were introduced in the book Day Zero that came out two weeks before this.  I say “book,” but really it is a character guide.  It goes through all 22 Major Arcana, who they were before the flash, and what they were doing the day the world caught fire. It was so good to get the insight that after I read it, I had to go back and re-read the entire series with the new provided intel.

Overall, this book is just one more puzzle piece to this compelling series that I can’t get enough of.  One that I whole heartedly recommend to anyone that will listen.

I’m glad you all are listening!

Until next time…

Happy Reading, Everyone!!

ZANE AND THE HURRICANE by Rodman Philbrick (Adult & Young Reader review included)

I am now in a book club! Ok, so it’s a book club consisting of myself and one other person, but I’m still excited.  I’ll tell you why.  This other person is my 10 year old son!

He has a plan to read a lot of books this year in school.  The idea and want was there, but the motivation was not.  He knew he had to read most nights, but wasn’t too excited by the idea.  That’s when I came up with our Mother-Son Book Club.  I would read the books he chose for school at the same time that he was.  That way we could talk about them and give our opinions throughout the book and at the end.  He thought this was a great idea, and took off running, or in this case, reading.  He’s been reading so much, it’s been hard to keep up. 

Our first book of this school year was…

ZANE AND THE HURRICANE by Rodman Philbrick

“A Story of Katrina”

BOOK DESCRIPTION

Newbery Honor author Rodman Philbrick presents a gripping yet poignant novel about a 12-year-old boy and his dog who become trapped in New Orleans during the horrors of Hurricane Katrina.

Zane Dupree is a charismatic 12-year-old boy of mixed race visiting a relative in New Orleans when Hurricane Katrina hits. Unexpectedly separated from all family, Zane and his dog experience the terror of Katrina's wind, rain, and horrific flooding. Facing death, they are rescued from an attic air vent by a kind, elderly musician and a scrappy young girl--both African American. The chaos that ensues as storm water drowns the city, shelter and food vanish, and police contribute to a dangerous, frightening atmosphere, creates a page-turning tale that completely engrosses the reader. Based on the facts of the worst hurricane disaster in U.S. history, Philbrick includes the lawlessness and lack of government support during the disaster as well as the generosity and courage of those who risked their lives and safety to help others. Here is an unforgettable novel of heroism in the face of truly challenging circumstances.

MY REVIEW

3 out of 5 *Stars*

“So that was when I started to really get it, how one bad thing can lead to another. The first bad thing might be, say, a hurricane, and it crashes into the world and starts other bad things happening, like the power going out, and trees crushing houses, and then the levees fail and the water rises and suddenly a million other things are going bad all at once, and some people are suffering, and some are dying, and some are helping, and others are acting wicked superior...”

My son and I had different opinions about this book; what we liked and what we didn’t.  Which is completely understandable considering Katrina hit a year before he was born.  Before he started reading, I went online and showed him pictures of the storm and its aftermath just so he would understand the significance behind the book. 

I thought the concept was there for the book and that it was a good idea.  Hurricane Katrina was an event that will forever be etched in people’s minds, whether they were there or not.  This story depicts a young man’s survival, through the storm and the devastation that immediately followed.  It goes into detail about what it was like when the storm hit, the rising waters, and the death and disease that overcame the city of New Orleans.  It even showed the characters’ hope and later disappointment in response to the “safe place” that wasn’t so safe, the Superdome. 

The characters we easy to follow, and had personalities that jumped off the page.  I even enjoyed Malvina’s nervous sense of humor and the “dumb” jokes she would tell to make someone smile.  A few I have even found myself telling to other people. 

“What the judge say when a skunk walk into the court house? Odor in the court!”

“Why the tomato turn red? It saw the salad dressing!”

It brought an air of lightness to an otherwise heavy subject.

Here’s the problem… I felt the trouble with the drug dealer was an added conflict that didn’t really need to be there.  There was already so much going on, with everything happening to the city and it’s inhabitants. Oh, and I don’t know… Trying to survive!  When the man came into the picture the book stopped being about surviving Katrina and the storyline felt like it went off course. 

Then there was the ending…  Here’s this whole book about struggling and overcoming every obstacle thrown their way but then the ending coasted into smooth sailing territory. It was too unrealistic to fit the book and had me shaking my head in confusion. 

I finished the book with a shrug and a ready to move on attitude.  This wasn’t a book that stayed with me after it was over, which is sad because it was about a very intense topic.

My son’s take on the book…

****************Young Reader Story Review****************

He wishes that it could have touched more on other topics that were otherwise left up in the air, maybe his mother’s struggle to get to her son or even more on what happened to Miss Trissy, after she was separated from Zane.  He disagreed with me on the topic of the drug dealer.  It was an added conflict that kept him on the edge of his seat, more so than the storm’s aftermath. However, he wished that there would have been more scenes involving the drug dealer or at least a resolved ending between Malvina and him.  He wishes that the book would have been a little longer, enough to resolve a lot of the loose ends that were left throughout the book, and also agreed that the ending was off, however he was ready to be done with the book enough that he didn’t care. 

***********************************************************************

Overall, I thought it was a cute book.  The cover is catchy and a few pages throughout the book are stained to look as if the book itself was wet.  All things that are definitely appealing to a young reader.  I don’t see it as being a “must-read,” but it is a quick read that will entertain you.

Until next time…

Happy Reading, Everyone!