Category: Reading



Theft at the Fair and Other Stories (It's a Mystery)Theft at the Fair and Other Stories by Gita V. Reddy

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Disclosure: I was given this book for an honest review.

Gita V. Reddy, the author, lives in India. Her books take place in India. So, I suggest that this presents an educational opportunity for parents and teachers. Pull out the encyclopedias, books about India, and/or make sure Google is available. Though Gita takes the time to explain terms or words within the story that are regional, it would stop the flow of the story to explain everything India. And this set of stories keeps you reading, even as an adult.

The mysteries are right up front. I love that they help the reader to learn to use their powers of observation. That was the only super-power I would allow my children to use. (Otherwise, with cape flowing they would have jumped from second story windows. So no capes or pretending other powers.)

Since I should have written this yesterday, I can’t remember exactly, but I think each of the stories was about some kind of theft. (Well, duh! it is there in the title of the book! **wink, wink**) I did wonder if there was a higher incidence in India than America. But realized that it could be localized here, also. I live in a small town (population approximately one thousand) and I assume we have as much crime here, per capita as L.A. usually drug related. So India is probably comparable. AND I prefer a mystery that has to do with theft over kidnapping or murder. And in this case, it is the smart children that figure it out. Hopefully, that comes with the conversation that kids who see something should say something to parents, teachers, authorities, etc. So this book is valuable for all that the reader puts into it.

The author mentions money statements. Another Google shows us what that means and how it translates to American money. But more than anything else, these stories are fun and show us how much we have in common and teach us about other people, respecting others and their properties. And did I mention, these stories are fun?

I highly recommend this book to everyone, especially parents and teachers to facilitate a great learning experience.

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The Way Back from BrokenThe Way Back from Broken by Amber J. Keyser

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Yay! I won this book in a contest by Cidney Swanson. Here is her page: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show…

I think I would have finished this book a long time ago had it been in Kindle format. But this way I will be able to share not only the signed book but the swag of postcards that came with it. I’ll add the BookCrossing BCID at the bottom of this review.

This book addresses the children of families that have lost babies, either pre or post birth. It may seem silly that we leave the siblings out of the grieving process for these situations but this shows the depth that kids of all ages feel for their departed loved ones. And though ‘lost infants’ is the focus of the mourning process, and though the book is aimed at children or young adults, I think this might be a great book for other ages and other types of losses.

With the topic that is so sad and frustrating for the young characters in the book, I found the book slow for me. But for those whose eyes can handle the font, this might read faster. Still, I felt the author said what needed to be said for the reader, and the characters. And please don’t give up if it doesn’t move along fast enough. It will pick up toward the end and you will be so happy that you stayed with it.

I finished reading the book a couple days ago. I just didn’t want to let go of the characters or adventure that they find themselves a part of. I miss all of it. I miss them. I want to know more of what happens next. I don’t know if the author plans a sequel. The reader isn’t left on any cliff. But I would love to see the story continue.

Congratulations, Amber J. Keyser, on a book well done and on a subject matter not covered very often.

Here is the BCID: 118-13963555

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CowgirlCowgirl by Java Davis

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This was a fun little story. I loved the main character and her independent ways. I loved how caring she was as a person, leaving safety and comfort to protect her younger brother from people who were mean and judgemental. I loved how she invested herself and her monies to those who needed her help. Best of all, I loved that she was a Jewish cowgirl in Nevada. That made a very different novel than other ‘westerns’ I have had experience with.

Unfortunately, I found the writing to be, I don’t know, removed? I never quite felt I was there with the main character on her adventures. Maybe I needed more senses involved? Maybe the passive writing was more passive than I am used to? I really can’t say what it was.

On the other hand, I felt the author took chances with some very brave motives. Hitting on child abuse, sexual preferences, religion, Java Davis, author, handles these themes with finesse. Then, of course, there was a wonderful horse and dog to carry the story the rest of the way. I feel this book could be read by anyone from the young adult on. We all need to see how life was in other times, and for people who are different that ‘average’.

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The Ruth Valley MissingThe Ruth Valley Missing by Amber West

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Thank you, Chris, for recommending this read to me. It was all you said it was, and more! It was free with Kindle Unlimited when I picked it up, but it is free either way, right now. It is worth the read!

Tired of city life, Jameson Quinn, finds a quaint little town to call home. But you know how small towns are, she barely arrived and everyone knew her name and business. But that wasn’t her problem. She welcomed that layer of openness after not knowing any of her neighbors back in the big city. She made a couple friends right away and found a great little two story cabin to live in on the sheriff’s property. What could go wrong? This is a town where no one locks their doors. Safe, right? Then she gets involved in the church.

The first half of the book is dedicated to getting to know James and her new neighbors. But the second half moves so much faster as the suspense grows, danger around every corner. Who can you trust? How can you help your friends? Wow! I couldn’t stop reading. I had to see what was going to happen.

The ending? Well, threads were tied up. But I would sure like to know what the next part of Jameson’s life is about. Please, Amber West, write a book two! This was fun!

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Girl On Horseback - Volume IGirl On Horseback – Volume I by Eileen Tidwell

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

My 12-year old self would have loved this book!

When I was in fifth grade and sixth grade, I had a friend who lived next door and she had a horse and a donkey. I would help her every day to feed, brush and clean up after these two. My friend, whose name was Marlene, told me I owned half of the donkey, Jenny. I never knew which half I owned but we would go riding a lot together and I preferred the donkey. One day we were riding on the hill behind our grade school. Marlene coaxed her horse to gallop downhill. I wasn’t about to be outdone, so Jenny and I started our run. But Jenny had a sense of humor. She stopped mid-stride and I tumbled head over hers and landed in front of her. Jenny hee hawed her amusement as did Marlene. I wanted to cry but couldn’t be seen as the cry-baby so I started laughing too. Jenny was forgiven immediately and we continued our trek, more slowly.

Anyway, like all girls that age, I spend my days drawing donkeys and horses. Still do in my doodling times. I dreamed of our times out riding. I still wish I could get out and ride horses. So this book gave me that experience. I was impressed with how vivid the author, Eileen Tidwell, painted the pictures of how to bridle or saddle or otherwise deal with horses.

Though this is labeled as a Christian book, it isn’t preachy. It merely states that the main character, Abby, went to church on Sunday and so didn’t get to ride her horse at that time, and she prayed when her horse was ill. I didn’t think that either of those story items necessary, but it didn’t distract from the story. The book is mostly about the girl learning her way around being with horses.

Maybe because of my age, I found the book less than exciting. I kept reading because it was about horses. But except for the bit about a flood near the end, the excitement just wasn’t there as I would have liked. Even so, I have book two ready for when I can get to it!

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Running with Curves: Why You're Not Too Fat to Run, and the Skinny on How to Start TodayRunning with Curves: Why You’re Not Too Fat to Run, and the Skinny on How to Start Today by Jill Angie

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

People may wonder, as I do, why I read things that are a bit far removed from my reality. I think I collect books and read them as a sort of dream-board idea. Sometimes for research for writing, but, in this case, a sort of hope, that someday I will be well again and be able to challenge my body to fun. Running looks like fun. I doubt I will be ready for it for quite a while as I am just now able to take an occasional walk. But with spring in the air, I plan to get out more and more. Who knows, maybe a sprint or two will result here and there.

This book doesn’t get into the damages that can be done to legs or knees when a person is overweight or out of shape. But assumes that the person has figured out how far one can push themselves. It is more a book of inspiration. You can do it. Don’t worry about how you look to others, regain your own self-confidence. If I gained nothing else from the book I did pull that into my being. It is something I need to work on. And so my walks will be a part of that.

Thank you, Jill Angie for writing a book about running for people like me.

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The World According to Bob: The Further Adventures of One Man and His Street-Wise CatThe World According to Bob: The Further Adventures of One Man and His Street-Wise Cat by James Bowen

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Warmed my soul! I have to thank my friend, Cher, for recommending this book to me.

This was actually book two. My library didn’t have book one on Kindle or OverDrive so I’ll have to wait until I have the money to buy it. Still, I didn’t feel lost. Bob continues to be the author’s savior and best friend. I can certainly understand how furry friends help us all. And Bob looks like my Teddy! He has helped me when I feel my worst with my fibromyalgia.

Though the title is The World According to Bob, it is more or less the story of James Bowen and how his cat has helped him. He doesn’t try to get into Bob’s head and try to understand things from the cat’s point of view. This stays with James’s interpretation of the world while being buddies with a wonderful feline.

I recommend this book to all. It is heartwarming. We all need that kind of tale from time to time. I look forward to reading the rest of the series.

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StolenStolen by Sheila Dalton

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Here there be pirates. Argh! And adventures galore!

Oh, but with that are slaves of many different breeds. And lots of misery of the times (early 1700?) Poor Lizbet finds that her parents have been taken captive on a slaver ship. She hopes they are alive but with the gore on the beach she fears they may not be. The first part of the book, she runs off with another unfortunate teen. They flee to London hoping to find a way in the world. The world lives in fear of women, cats and witches. No, there are no witches. But you could be arrested for just about anything.

I want to warn everyone in the second part. It almost sounds like the storyline of erotica. Though it leans that way it stays just above eros.Stick with it as the story gets more into the adventure that Lizbet longs for.

By the way, I received this e-book as a gift from the author, Sheila Dalton, for an honest review. I did love it and couldn’t put it down. I was impressed by the amount of research that is obvious within the tale. If you get the chance it is worth the read!

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Atlantis RiptideAtlantis Riptide by Allie Burton

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I have always wanted to be a mermaid. I lived for my time in the water. I never understood my friends who spent hours working on their tans when a perfectly good body of water was there calling me. In late grade school, early junior high, my brother and I walked three miles over a hill. We stopped at the bottom of the hill where my aunt lived so we could get a drink of her Sparkletts water then continue our walk to the pool. There we would pay our first dime for the first session of swimming (I think it was an hour and a half) then we’d dry off and hang out in the park until the second session. Then we’d pay our second dime and swim some more. After all that swimming we would walk back to our aunt’s for another drink then attack that three-mile-hike over the hill. I loved summer and all that swimming! A secret I learned later was that our aunt would call our mom each time we stopped so that Mom would know we were okay. Thank goodness I wasn’t raised now. I can’t imagine not having that kind of freedom. Anyway, I say all this because I still wish I was a mermaid. The only difference now is that I cannot handle cold water with my fibro. I miss swimming so much. Thereby, I read.

I must have really wanted to read this book. I picked it up twice from BookRooster.com then once again for free on Amazon. (It is free right now.) The version I read was the BookRooster as I can listen and read on the same machine (MoonReader Pro). By the way, I don’t know what’s up with BookRooster site. I can’t seem to find it so I won’t be able to post the review with them. Anyone know what’s up with them?

Back to the book. It is a Young Adult/Romance. Romance is the part I hate most. For all the angst wondering about the love interest, this mermaid could have been swimming and enjoying the flora and fauna beneath the waves. More time could have been spent talking about the freedom there is in swimming, the sensations of water as the body slices through it. But the author did give me the best gift: if you are a mermaid you don’t notice the change in temperatures. Your body can stand the cold of deeper water or the heat of being near the volcanic vents. Now I wish I were a mermaid even more. Oh, and if a mermaid breathes into an air breather more than 5 times an air breather can then live in the water as a merperson. Where do I find a merperson to do this for me?

Romance or not, I was happy that this poor mermaid found a friend who cares for her since her life didn’t seem to have much of that. And having this extra person to help her opens her life for new experiences. I don’t know if my writing is coming across rather haltingly, I am trying not to give spoilers. Hope I succeeded at piquing your interest in reading this book without giving too much away.

This book is part of a series, but the book didn’t leave the reader on a cliffhanger. Whew! I was glad about that. It did leave me wanting to see what happens next. So as soon as I can afford it I will pick up the next in the series. My inner mermaid needs more!

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Legend (Legend, #1)Legend by Marie Lu

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I am SO impressed with this series! Especially since I had to read it backward. For the most part, I read it on my local library’s Kindle and listened to the library Overdrive version. This last book, book one, I actually had had the chance to buy the Audible version. I figured I will eventually buy all of this series (Kindle and Audible) so that someday I would read it in the correct order. If it is good and held together reading it the way I did, imagine how good it is reading it the right way!

Spoilers are hard to avoid as I write this. In fact, I thought by knowing what was to come I wouldn’t be able to continue. Then something happened between Metais and Day. Something seemed off as I remembered what was to happen in book two. Luckily, by the end of book one that issue revealed itself properly. Everything else held together very well. Again, I am so impressed with the world, characters and story that Marie Lu (author) built.

In this first book, you get to see how June and Day meet and start falling for each other. I had wondered about that. You get to see how Day meets Tess. You actually meet Day’s family. You meet all the people who play crucial roles later in the series and now you know why (if you read it back to front, that is).

Yesterday, I saw that Legend is on sale on Amazon. It is $3.00. If you can, I suggest you buy it. If I had more than a dollar to my name, I would buy it now. Alas, that will have to wait.

Now a comment on the narration by Mariel Stern and Steven Kaplan who play June and Day respectfully. I don’t know if this is their first narration gig or if they were finding their voices to these characters, but this one felt like they were new. Especially, Mariel Stern, whose voice appeared higher and a little crackly in comparison to the later books. Maybe she was attempting to sound younger? And, of course, if they recorded them in order that would still be the case, right? But as this story continues both voices become stronger and true to the characters. I was often in a situation where wearing headphones and listening were impossible and I had to read the book strictly by sight, and there were times my eyes were tired and I just listened, either and both methods hold up and maintain a fantastic story. An author who writes very well, combined with narrators who read very well, makes a wonderful experience, even in a dystopian world.

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