A Book Review :A Missing Girl and a Corrupt Investigation- "Back on Murder"

Back on Murder
By J. Mark Bertrand

This book involves a Houston homicide detective, Roland March, who was once one ot the best!! However, he  is now very disillusioned, cynical,  and is being farmed out to  cases that are meant to be punishment to him. Finally, he comes upon an unexpected opportunity to save his previously envious career. He has the task of finding a missing daughter of an evangelist that every other cop is looking for,with  little success.  March discovers it is a multiple murder with connecting cases. He faces his past which he fears.
A positive aspect to this book is that there are no graphic descriptions of the crimes , yet you know the details of the homicides and the disappearance through the dialogue and interaction of the characters. Written in the first person, the book tends to be quite "wordy", making you know him well as a person, however, you fail to involve yourself completely in the action.  The author very cleverly connects the three crimes together and it is through March's persistence that the crimes are solved.
It appeals to an audience interested in the police detective genre without having to visualize graphic images. Well done for those who enjoy detective novels.

"Book has been provided courtesy of Bethany House and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc. Available now at your favourite bookseller."

Historical Fiction Book Review- "Courting Morrow Little"

Courting Morrow Little
By Laura Frantz

Historical fictions are not usually my books of choice, however, I found this one to be very enjoyable and quite a page turner.
The main character, Morrow has gone through a devastating experience of having her family torn apart by the raiding Shawnee warriers. Members of her family were murdered and her brother was missing. The story commences with Morrow, as a young woman struggling with an ailing father and she must now make some extremely difficult choices about her future. Although many men vie for her hand in marriage, she she finds herself drawn to perhaps the most forbidden love that both terrifies and intrigues her. She feels she may be betraying the members of her family, if she pursues a life with him. Or... she could marry a man she does NOT love!  What should she do??
The book takes you through her following years with many challenges and scares!!  I found myself just waiting to see how the situations were resolved.
A surprise ending was indeed enjoyable. 
Laura Frantz keeps your attention throughout the book with the details of the Shawnee raids in the communities of Kentucky. Well done!! A good read!!

"Book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications Inc. Available now at your favourite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing House."

"The Seeker"- Learn about the Shakers!!

Book Review:
The Seeker
By Ann H. Gabhart

When I started to read this book, I knew very little about the Shaker faith- as they no longer exist. Upon finishing the first page of  Chapter One, I had already become aware of some of their beliefs- celebacy- no marriage. Although it is fiction, there are many facts that were interesting. It is an education in the beliefs of the Shakers as well as a story about living in a Shaker community and what it involves.

Charlotte, the main character, is preparing for her upcoming marriage, when her fiance decides to join the Shakers- NOT allowing marrriage!  You feel her dismay and her agony as you read through the book. She then encounters many other problems- her father brings home a new wife who is young enough to be her sister. Both her household and her country are in a state of disarray- the country being on the brink of Civil War.
Ann keeps your attention throughout the book, having Charlotte join the Shaker community to try to gain back her fiance. Little does she know that this decision will lead her to unforeseen consequences.  Unexpected events constantly keep your attention.
Love blooms in a most unexpected way.  Charlotte is a Southern Belle in war-torn Kentucky who succeeds in her quest for love - in most surprising circumstances.
An excellent read, definitely a page-turner to the very end!!

"Book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc. Available now at your favourite bookseller from Revell,a division of Baker Publishing Group."

WOW!! "Perfectly Dateless" - an excellent young adult novel

"Perfectly Dateless"
By Kristen Billerbeck

I absolutely loved the title page where under the statement was posted "A Universally Misunderstood Novel"!! What a way to catch a young person's attention. Super way to begin a book and coax a reluctant reader into wanting to see what this book has to offer.
The main character, Daisy, has 196 days to find the right date for her prom- BUT her major problem is-how can she succeed, when her parents won't let her date- won't even let her talk to a boy on the phone!!
You have empathy with this teenage girl who is purely invisible at school- all her clothes are lame and homemade by her mom. She is quiet, with poor social skills. The author makes it very easy to identify with her and feel her hurt and humiliation. Daisy has a Diary in which she keeps track of possible dates, how to get them, how many days to the prom.... The problem is- how can she succeed when facing so many challenges??
The author keeps you guessing throughtout the book-can she talk her parents to even allow her to attend this social event?  You just have to love Daisy and the way she copes with her problems, eccentric parents included. The book is a hilarious yet warm story of a teen who just wants to be normal.  Even a geek wants to live out a dream.
Does Daisy get to the prom? Does she have a date? Read the book to find out. You certainly won't be disappointed. It is an exellent read- for all ages!

"Book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications Inc. Available now at your favourite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group."

Embracing Your Second Calling- a rather disappointing read

A Book that promised a lot- but I was a bit disappointed, July 2 2010


Embracing Your Second Calling

By Dale Hanson Bourke



The topic of this book immediately caught my interest. Here I am, a woman in my 50's, and the author promises that you can "find passion and purpose for the rest of your life".

Upon beginning to read, I was very interested in the fact that she uses the fact that as we grow older, we do indeed change who we are and how we react to life and circumstances with which we are presented. That is SO true!! Dale uses the story of Naomi and Ruth to apply what she is trying to get us to understand. That was one part of the book that I especially enjoyed.

Her addition of the Reflect boxes were thought provoking, however, I was extremely disappointed with her Act boxes. Many were not practical for most people not were they things that most women would do.

I found the book centred on her life, which is fine, she wants us to see how she herself changed, however, I became tired of the "me" involved in the book. Not all of us have the money nor position to do some of the things she has been able to do. I thought that she could have given us some more practical suggestions on "HOW" to change in a positive manner.

So... although, it was an interesting and different read, I found this book did not meet my needs. Perhaps, I am beyond the age of audience of the book for whom it is written. In my 40's, I may have taken a different perspective upon reading it.

Hopefully, others can use her suggestions. I felt that I could not.