Wednesday, August 31, 2011

Seven Up by Janet Evanovich

309 pages......................5 1/2 hours

Stephanie (Bounty Hunter) Plum's latest assignment should be easy.....pick up an old senile and depressed man (former mobster). However, Stephanie is soon in trouble with everyone as she blunders along trying to bring him in.

Evanovich keeps you laughing after the last page has turned.

Monday, August 29, 2011

Facts of Life by Gary Soto

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Facts of Life by Gary Soto
174 pages

Like all short story books, some of these were amazing...and some fell incredibly flat.

Friday, August 26, 2011

and the Shofar Blew by Francine Rivers

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and the Shofar Blew by Francine Rivers
448 pages

Paul and Eunice Hudson are called by God to pastor a small dwindling church. Samuel is an older Elder within the chuch who is blessed to have Paul and Eunice come into their small town church. Stephen is a man fresh out of rehab with a need to stay on the right track with God. All seems to be doing well, until it appears that the work being down within the church is more for the glory of Paul than the glory of God.

(from jacket cover)
He seemed like the perfect pastor to lead Cernterville Christian Church. She seemed like the perfect pastor's wife.
When Paul Hudson eagerly accepted the call to pastor the struggle church, he had no idea what to expect. He only hoped he could please the Lord with his plans and hard work. Together, Paul, his wife Eunice, and their son Tim packed up and moved halfway across the country to do the Lord's work.
It didn't take long for Paul to turn Centerville Christian Church around. Attendance was up, way up. People came to hear the charismatic Paul Hudson preach. The choir added members, ad the children's program was at an all time high. A building program was in the works. Everything was going so well. If only his wife could see it his way. Still, he tried no to let her quiet presence disturb him.

Tuesday, August 23, 2011

As Sure as the Dawn by Francine Rivers

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As Sure as the Dawn by Francine Rivers
482 pages
Third book in the Mark of the Lion trilogy.

The story continues, this time following Atretes and Rizpah, along with his son. Their lives become endangered when people learn of his son and Christian Rizpah. When the information hits people in high places, they must flee, and they head back to Germania. Incredible story. These books really moved me, to the point where I was lost on what to read next.

Hot Six by Janet Evanovich

5 hours.............294 pages

Evanovich coninues with her Sephanie Plum mystery/comedy novels.

HIGH FIVE BY Janet Evanovich

4 1/4 hours...............292 pages

Stephanie Plum, bounty hunter extraordinaire continues with her saga.

Thursday, August 18, 2011

Blank Confession by Pete Hautman

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Blank Confession by Pete Hautman
170 pages

Shayne walks into a police station and confesses to a murder. He tells a long story, alternating view points with Mikey, the dorky kinda kid who always wears a suit even to school. The suspense builds throughout the book, leaving the reader with several ideas on who the victim might be.

Crunch Time by Mariah Fredericks

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Crunch Time by Mariah Fredericks
317 pages

Really liked this book. A group of students sit down at a SAT prep class. The teacher is late, cannot find the books. Four students decide the class is pointless, and take off to have pizza. They are all different, but an unlikely group forms friendships, and start studying for the SAT on their own. Each take the test, and make plans for what to after high school. Until it is discovered that someone cheated on the test, and paid someone to take it for them. Each suspects the others, can their friendship survive?

Side Effects by Amy Goldman Koss

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Side Effects by Amy Goldman Koss
143 pages

Izzy thinks she never got over her cold, must not have if her glands on her neck are still swollen. She is happy to escape school for one day to go see the doctor. Until that afternoon when her family is told she has cancer. I hate to say this is a funny book, but it truly is. Izzy is a very funny girl, and even through her painful treatments, and the side effects of chemo, the humor is there. Very touching story


I'll Sing You One-O by Nan Gregory

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I'll Sing You One-O by Nan Gregory
220 pages


Twelve-year-old Gemma has lived on a farm with a loving foster family since she was abandoned at the age of four by her troubled mother. Until the day she is yanked out by an aunt and uncle and taken to live with them and the twin brother she never knew she had. Gemma tries very hard to be absolutely perfect in order to gain herself an angel, who will take her back to the farm.

Sunday, August 14, 2011

An Echo in the Darkness by Francine Rivers

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An Echo in the Darkness by Francine Rivers
Sequel to Voice in the Wind
453 pages

Loved this book even more than the first one. Steeped in fascinating historical fiction, and the message comes at a time in a time in my life I really needed it. As always, don't want to say to much about the sequel because with the Mark of the Lion books, it would give away too much about the first if you were want to read it.

Monday, August 8, 2011

Voice in the Wind by Francine Rivers

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Voice in the Wind by Francine Rivers
522 pages.

Amazing story. Although the main character is Hadassah, a young Christian woman whose life is spared for reasons unknown to anyone, even the man who had set out to kill her, there are several very strong characters in this historical fiction novel. She is sold to a wealthy shipping family, and becomes the personal slave to a selfish girl only interested in money and the gladiator fights. Her brother, Marcus, is only interested in money, power, and women, and how to use them all. Atretes is the German soldier captured in battle, turned gladiator, who must battle to earn his freedom. Hadassah touches each in her gentle, Godly ways, even though she is frightened for her life to admit to being a Christian. This is the first book in the Mark of the Lion series.

Saturday, August 6, 2011

July Totals

Books: 34
Pages: 11,192
Time: 83 hours, 11 minutes
Points: 34

Great work!  Drawing to come soon for all who posted in July.

Tuesday, August 2, 2011

Gentlemen by Michael Northrop


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Gentlemen by Michael Northrop
234 pages

Micheal and his friends are you typical blow off school, lazy slacker, probably going to end up in juvie, group. But when their friend turns up missing, and the English teacher tosses out hints that his body may have been stuffed into the barrel on display for the class, they band together to convince that teacher to admit to what they have done. When Bones takes it way too far, they must decide what is more important, their friendship, or their freedom.
Quick read that really left me wondering what would Micheal's life be like after the fact.

The Nomad

The Nomad
111 pages

I cannot say too  much about this book, because it is yet unpublished. Charlotte is on the run from the people who captured her mother. With the help of her shape shifting abilities, will she be able to escape the ones who seek her? Was very happy to be one of the first to read this book!