Promises to Keep by Dean Hughes

Promises to Keep: Diane’s Story by Dean Hughes.

Dean Hughes’ popular series Hearts of the Children left Diane’s open enough that fans kept bugging him for the rest of her story. This novel tells what happened to Diane’s life after she left her abusive husband with her young daughter Jenny. Diane is a working single mom raising her daughter the best she can. Her ex-husband Greg refuses to pay child support, but will buy Jenny extravagant gifts. Jenny wants to believe that her father is a good man, and accepts the explanations that he gives for his faults. This causes a rift between Diane and her daughter, Jenny, who wants more independence. Diane has tried to play the dating game, but has repeatedly failed. Then she meets a soft-spoken businessman named Spencer, whose wife died of cancer. They are interested in one another, but with their children pulling them in different directions it looks like they will never be together.

I really love Dean Hughes style! He’s one of my favorite historical authors. He adds small, social details that make his characters feel authentic to the time period. Basically, I could go on about how I really love how he characterizes his characters, but that would bore you probably. So, I’ll just say that I really enjoyed this read, and couldn’t wait to see how Diane’s life turned out. I also cared about Jenny, and was worried she’d never get the clue about what her dad was really like. I was mildly annoyed at the ending because it was still a bit of a cliffhanger, but I don’t think it is Hughes style to solve everything perfectly like a really predictable romance novel. Alas. If you love the Hearts of the Children series then you’ll enjoy this one too.

Hughes Website:http://www.deanhughes.net/

The Edge on the Sword by Rebecca Tingle

The Edge on the Sword by Rebecca Tingle

Flaed has grown into a young lady, old enough to start learning how to read in the scriptorium. She has a knack for learning letters, and catches on quickly. She regrets that her study takes her away from wandering the forests and fields with her little brother. Yet, she regrets more that she will have to leave him at the end of the summer for her father has promised her to marry his ally, Ethelred of Mercia. Her father assigns her a bodyguard to keep her safe until she can be wed. Flaed thinks this is pointless until she runs away, and is almost kidnapped by strange men. Her bodyguard thinks that the best plan is to teach Flaed to defend herself, and so she learns to become a warrior. She never would have predicted that her skill would save not only her life, but the life of her men.

This book is a historical “what if?” book. The main character is based off of a woman named Aethelflaed, who lived in England during the 800’s. The author’s note at the end of the book labels her as “the greatest woman in Old English military history.” Historical texts apparently laude her role as a great queen, and successful war leader, but very little is told about her younger years, this story is imagined by the author in place of that void in the text. The author asked herself what stories a younger Aethelflaed might be involved in, and wrote this tale.

I really enjoyed reading this book, though I kind of worried about if I would like it when I read the plot on the jacket cover. I hoped it wouldn’t turn into a cliché romance novel when I read that Flaed’s father arranged a marriage for her, and set a bodyguard over her. I expected a love triangle, but there was none. In fact the romance was really low key, and more realistic than most arranged marriage stories. The story really was about Flaed, and how she developed into a woman of courage, strength, and skill. I loved the relationship she had with her brother because it reminds me of my brother and me. We used to hang out, and capture lizards, go fishing, and build forts together. Then we just kind of grew apart when we took different academic tracks. I miss those old fort building days. I refused to tell my hubby the plot of this book because I knew if I tried to explain it to him he would never read it. Yet, I got him to start reading it and he didn’t put it down until he finished it. Great little historical novel with a strong, intelligent female character, and heroic, noble men. I would totally recommend.

Author Bio: http://us.penguingroup.com/nf/Author/AuthorPage/0,,0_1000052493,00.html

Sweethearts by Sara Zarr

Sweethearts by Sara Zarr


Jenna Vaughn feels like she is living a lie. She goes to a small private school, has a cute boyfriend, and has tons of friends. Yet, she has squished a small part of her old self into a place no one can see—the small nine-year-old fat girl, who used to cry, and love Cameron Quick is gone. She buried that part of herself when her dearest friend Cameron left her for good. That is until Cameron reappears at her high school reminding her of her not only of her old-self, but old pains and hurts they shared in the past.

I totally shouldn’t have liked this book. It gets several checks on the “I don’t like read this type of book” list. Yet, I was hooked in the very first chapter, and couldn’t put the book down. I love how Jena describes the memories of her childhood, because I could relate. I remember the weird friends you had, but never really remember the details of how you can up with psycho schemes. I remember my friend and I tried to use umbrellas to fly away on the wind. It was pretty funny and never worked(those dang umbrellas always broke), and then one day she missed school, and I cried cause I was sad that she wasn’t there to try to fly away on umbrellas at recess. I was a weird kid, huh?

Another thing I loved was Karl the stepfather figure in the story. He is such a good guy, which is totally against the stereotype in these stories. This story is intense, emotional, and has flashbacks to a child abuse scene, which I skipped in large chunks, as it appears in various parts of the book. I really hate reading abuse stories. A lot. I usually stop reading them, because they make me really depressed. Yet, this one really drew me in and touched me, because the author portrays the Jena as a courageous little creature, with a brave and loving heart. The trick is that she has to remember that, while she comes to terms with her past, and figure out what is between her and her good friend Cameron.

Whitney Awards Announced....

So, I checked the whitney awards website at 7:05 am this morning to see the winners, and then had to rush off to work. I'm way excited. I know I should be more excited about, you know, the Newbery's that recently were announced. Yet, I'm more excited about this announcement. I want the LDS fiction market to get better and I think this award is a big step. So go check out the best LDS books of 2008

http://www.whitneyawards.com/2008finalists.html

Should I try to read them all? How many of you out there are going to try and read them all? I've read several, but I counted and I'd need to read 21 and some of them are in the middle of a seires. For example the Wyrmling Horde by Dave Farland is the tenth book in a series, I think. I don't know how that will work. I hate reading in the middle of a seires. I have a thing with reading them all in order.

Rapunzel’s Revenge by Shannon Hale

I have to admit I was hesitant to read Rapunzel’s revenge. Not so much because it is a graphic novel, but because Rapunzel looks like a cowgirl on the front cover. I don’t have anything against westerns, but Rapunzel is supposed to be romantic, classical, and sort of renaissance-ish. Definitely, not a western. So, though I love Shannon Hale, I hesitated. Then I just needed to read something new, and a little different. I haven’t been able to get into reading lately. Working a lot, and snatching bits of a novel at lunch break kind of ruins the reading experience.

So, I decided to try Rapunzel’s revenge, and I really loved it. I picked up the book and couldn’t put it down until I finished. What a wonderful thing! I finished a book in one sitting (okay there are lots of pictures…I know.). Still three hours later and I was finished. (This may be long by some standards, but I read more slowly than reading maniacs, like my husband, who finish 500 page novels in a day.) It was really fun.

The book starts out with Rapunzel wandering a beautiful villa, having nothing to do but practice rope tricks with some of the servants. She lives with her mother, or who she thinks is her mother. With nothing to do, Rapunzel naturally wants to see over the huge wall that surrounds the villa, and decides to sneak over it one day. She doesn’t expect to find that the land beyond the wall looks like a wasted desert, full of slaves, who work the mines. She also meets someone important to her from her past, and learns that she was deceived. Rapunzel is so angry that she takes on Mother Gothel, and lands herself up in a tall tree tower. She determines to find a way out, so she stop Gothel from exploiting her subjects, and save those she cares about.

This book is way fun, and it is cool to see Rapunzel whip her braids around, and take down outlaws, wild beasts, and evil fake-mothers. There were a few cheesy parts, but this book is an overall winner. I hope you take the time to read it.

Comfortable in my Own Genes by Tamra Norton

Comfortable in my Own Genes by Tamra Norton

Dani has big dreams of being a journalist, and so she joins the newspaper staff in her high school. She didn’t expect to run into Jarret, an old childhood friend that used to live down the street. Yet, his appearance has changed so dramatically that she almost doesn’t recognize him, skinny and fit after years of obesity. She is thrilled when one of her first assignments is to interview Matt, an exchange student from New Zealand. Mr. Beautiful has an accent that makes her insides melt, but she has competition in the form of her beautiful sister Trista. Dani has lived in her more beautiful and popular older sister’s shadow her whole life, and Dani can tell that Matt likes her. During homecoming royalty nominations someone plays a cruel joke on Jarret. Yet, Dani is determined that the joke will be on the pranksters, and she’ll make Jarret into the homecoming King. Teaming up with her popular sister, Dani works to defend her friend, and finds the appeal of “Matt the Beautiful” fading, as she spends more time with Jarret.

I enjoyed this high school fiction read. Though, I felt that some of the dialogue was awkward and forced, especially in a few beginning scenes. Some of the religious aspects are incorporated a little awkwardly, as in they become a little too obvious or preachy. I felt these were more minor flaws as for the most part the characters remained consistent and interesting. The main character Dani narrates in a humorous tone, yet the author still tackles serious themes—obesity, bullies, courage, and self-worth. She really hits a nice balance between being funny, and telling a meaningful story.

I felt that the plot moved forward at a nice pace, and had conflicts that I could really get behind. I found myself hoping that Jarrett would be vindicated, and that Dani would figure out her love life. I also really like how the romantic interest flows in the book because the author creates a good chemistry between them.

Overall, I had a good impression of this book and think that those that are in the Kay Lynn Magnum or Allie Condie camps will enjoy this read also. Though, this book is much more funny, and light.

Tamra Norton's Website:http://www.tamranorton.com/index.html

Blogs at:http://www.theinkladies.blogspot.com/

Hattie Big Sky by Kirby Larson

Hattie Big Sky by Kirby Larson

Hattie Brooks has always been shunted from relative to relative since her mother and father died when she was little. While she is living with her critical Aunt, who is ready to send her to work at a boarding house, she receives an invitation from her Uncle Chester. He has left his 360 acre land in Montana too her in his will, if she is willing to come out and claim it. Hattie takes a train after gathering supplies and settles in on the land, but she has to fulfill the requirements to prove the homesteaders claim. Under the big sky in Montana Hattie works hard on her land, and comes to love her neighbors dearly. She’ll have to work hard in order to prove up on her claim, and earn the title of homesteader by herself.

This is a delightful read about a girl who homesteads in Montana. The characters in the small town of Vida are entertaining with their odd advice, habits, and personalities. The book is set during WWI, and since Hattie’s dearest friend is married to a German the book deals with a lot of the prejudice during that time. Though, I felt that this portrayal was one-sided. Sometimes I feel like historical authors try to give a message, but do so without showing the other viewpoint. Even if this viewpoint is selfish, ugly, or unflattering it was still very real. Everyone that is likable in the story has the “correct” view, but all the unlikable characters are evil and have the “bad” view. I find this a simplistic and unrealistic view of both history and human nature, but this is the pet peeve of a history major so take it for what you will. It really shouldn’t bother me so much, and I’m sort of irrational when it comes to this sort of thing.

Despite my crazy history view I really enjoyed this novel overall, though it did have a few plot things that bugged me, where the author picked up a detail and then dropped it later on in the plot when the action started. For example, say a boy goes back to his locker to get his book, and then runs into a big fight in the hall and a bunch of stuff happens, and the boy doesn’t get the book. Yet, it isn’t mentioned later that he needed the book when he finally got back to class or that he even realized he forgot the book later. Yeah, it really bugs me when authors leave out those type of little details assuming the reader is going to forget/not mind that the thread was dropped. I also thing that this is a little on the irrational side of as far as annoyances go.

From the length of my annoyances and critiques you would think that I wouldn’t recommend this book, but I think it is an entertaining story, with fun characters. If you don’t pick apart stuff when you read like I apparently do then you should try out the book because it is a fun, cozy, clean read. I also really liked the ending, though most people won’t. Maybe it is because my life hasn’t turned out perfect the last year or so either, and I could relate to the character’s experience, and even heartache when plans don't work out the way you expected them to. So, if the book sounds interesting go and read it!

Author's Website:http://www.kirbylarson.com/

Tales of Beedle the Bard by J.K. Rowling

The Tales of Beedle the Bard by J.K. Rowling.

My dear husband gave this book to me for my Christmas present and I was so excited. I really love Harry Potter, and so wanted to read this little book. This little book contains five wizarding fairy tales that fit in with the Harry Potter universe—“The Wizard and the Hopping Pot,” “The Fountain of Fair Fortune,” “The Warlock’s Hairy Heart,” “Babbitty Rabbity and Her Cackling Stump,” and “The Tale of the Three Brothers.” The last of which features prominently in the plot of book seven. The stories are fun and charming to read all in themselves. Yet, to add some fun to the mix J.K. Rowling has included commentary written by Albus Dumbledore at the end of every story.

His comments range between thought provoking insights, hilarious observations, and historical information and background on the wizarding world. Harry Potter fans will finally be happy to learn the difference between an animagus and merely transfiguring oneself into an animal. The reason behind Lucius Malfoy’s stubborn persistence to remove Dumbledore from his headmaster position at Hogwarts is also revealed. As well as other interesting anecdotes on the wizarding world that Rowling has created. She even draws the pictures! They are pretty decent too; I’m impressed.

This is a fun little book to read, and I would recommend it to all Harry Potter fans. Though I’m sure some non-fans will enjoy it too. The profits from this book all go to a charity organization that helps abandoned European children find homes

Author's website:http://www.jkrowling.com//

Eyes of a Stranger by Rachel Ann Nunes

Eyes of a Stranger by Rachel Ann Nunes

As Tawnia McKnight drives into Portland, leaving behind her boyfriend Bret Winn and her old job, she narrowly avoids a tragedy. One of the main bridges leading into the city collapses, injuring and killing many people. The tragedy leads Bret, a bridge engineer, back into her life, but while investigating the cause of the bridge collapse he finds a woman standing at the water’s edge that has the same strange eyes as Tawnia, and mistakes them to be the same person at first.

This woman, Autumn Rain, has lost her father in the bridge collapse and needs help getting back on her feet. Tawnia takes her under her wing, but they are so similar that she wonders about her mysterious adoption, especially since Autumn was adopted also. Autumn shows an interest in Bret, and Tawnia’s feelings are torn between her attraction to Bret, and a new handsome firefighter that saved Autumn during the bridge collapse. Yet, the situation turns dangerous when they discover that the bridge disaster was not caused by structural weaknesses, but by explosives.

I enjoyed reading this book, and the multiple plot lines that the author threaded through the story. I also liked how the author cleverly got her characters to be in the same place at the same time without it seeming too easy, and believable. I’m not sure what else to say about the book, but I like Nunes because she always puts out a good product. I wish for more character depth sometimes (like I do the majority of the time), but she always has interesting conflicts and plots. Plus, I always feel that she is one of the less melodramatic romance authors in the market, and that is refreshing. So, in short I liked it, but it won't be on my favorites list.

Books Read in 2008

The bolded ones are my favorites. What a fun reading year! The blog is offically a year old now. Yea!

1 Austenland by Shannon Hale
2 Alcatraz Versus the Evil Librarians by Brandon Sanderson
3 Tangled Roots By G.G. Vandergriff
4 Extras by Scott Westerfeld
5 Forget me not by Michelle Ashman Bell
6. Tempest Tossed by Josi Kilpack
7. Yearbook by Alyson Condie
8. On Second Thought by Robison Wells
9. The Believer by Stephanie Black
10. 80 Miles To Nowhere by Melissa Alstock
11. Mummy’s the Word by Kerry Blair
12. When the Bough Breaks by Kay Lynn Magnum
13.A Love Like lily by Kay Lynn Magnum
14 A Book of a Thousand Days by Shannon Hale
15 Sheep’s Clothing by Josi Kilpack
16 Saboteur by Dean Hughes
17 Counting Stars by Michelle Paige Holmes 18 House of Secrets by Jeffery S. Savage
19 Time Riders by Sierra St. James
20 The 13th Reality by James Dashner
21 Upon the Moutains by Gale Sears
22 Flying Home by Rachel Ann Nunes
23 The Invention of Hugo Cabret by Brian Selznack
24 Dragon Slippers by Jessica Day Geroge
25 Sun and Moon, Ice and snow by Jessica Day George
26 Dragon Flight by Jessica Day Geroge (not reviewed)
27 Song of the Sparrow by Lisa Ann Sandell
28 The Princess and the Hound by Mette Ivie Harrison
29 His Majesty’s Dragon by Naomi Novik Random house
30 Forged in the Refiner’s Fire by Candace Salima and Elizabeth Cheever (non-fiction)
31 Heaven Scent by Rebecca Talley
32 Stargirl by Jerry Spinelli Knopf
33 The Lightening Thief by Rick Riordan
34 The Sea of Monsters Rick Riordan
35 The Titan’s Curse Rick Riordan
36 Battle of the Labyrinth Rick Riordan
37 Ravens in the Winter by Bernd Heinrich (non-fiction)
38 Icing on the Cake by Elodia Strain
39 The Authurian Omen by G.G. Vandergriff
40 Fool Me Twice by Stephanie Black
41 Our of Jerusalem by H.B. Moore
42 The Shakeress by Kimberly Heuston
43 Solider Boys by Dean Hughes
44 Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of Nimh
45 My Mom’s a Mortician by Patricia Wiles
46 Ben Franklin’s Almanac by Candace Flemming (non-fiction)
47 FarWorld: Water’s Keep by J. Scott Savage
48 The White Bedouin by Geroge Potter
49 Coffin House by Pamela Carrington Reid
50 Hunting Gideon by Jessica Draper
51 East by Edith Pattou
52 Two Road by Chris Crowe
53 Journey of the Heart by Dave W. Free
54 The Loser’s Guide to Life and Love by A.E. Cannon
55 Serpent Tide by K.L. Fogg
56 Trouble in Palmayra by Rob Ficiur
57 Rescue the Prophet by Rob Ficiur
58 Dante’s Daughter by Kimberly Heuston
59 Renaissance Beauty by Heather Simonsen
60 The Thief by Megan Whalen Turner
61 Castle Corona by Sharon Creech
62 Her Good Name by Josi Kilpack
63 Widow’s Revenge by K.L. Fogg
64 All’s Fair by Julie Coulter Bellon
65 Facing the Enemy by Dean Hughes
66 As Wide as the River By Dean Hughes
67 Abinadi by Heather Moore
68 Time and Eternity by E.M. Tippets
69 Alcatraz Verses the Scrivener’s Bones
70 Minding Mama by Marilyn Arnold
71 Our Eleanor by Candace Fleming (non-fiction)
72 Christmas in Haggerty By Betsy Brannon Green
73 Christmas Rose by Robyn Buttars
74 Eyes of a Stranger by Rachel Ann Nunes
75 The Well of Ascension by Brandon Sanderson(re-read) (not reviewed)
76 The Goose Girl by Shannon Hale (re-read) (not reviewed)
77 Black Powder War by Naomi Novik (not reviewed)
78 Throne of Jade by Naomi Novik (not reviewed)
79 Mississippi Trial 1955 by Chris Crowe (not reviewed)
80 Out of the Dust Karen Hesse (not reviewed)
81 The Hero of Ages by Brandon Sanderson (not reviewed)

Partials (that I still plan on finishing…)Biography of Alexander Hamilton
Team of Rivals the political genius of Abraham Lincoln

Top Five LDS
Counting Stars
Fool Me Twice
Sheep’s Clothing
Serpent Tide
Time and Eternity

Top Five YA
Ben Franklin’s Almanac
The Lightening Thief
Sun and Moon, Ice and Snow
The Invention of Hugo Cabret
The Shakeress