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Friday, September 30, 2011

The Full Moon Bride by Shobhan Bantwal

The Full Moon Bride by Shobhan Bantwal (Rated: C)
Kensington Books
ISBN: 978-0758258847
Published Aug 2011
Trade paperback, 352 pages

Soorya Giri is a 30 year-old Indian-American environmental lawyer who lives at home, the only child of wealthy parents who wish to see her married to a nice Indian man. Battling with her weight and self-esteem issues, Soorya despairs of finding a husband and so agrees to bride viewing—a practice that enables her parents to choose an appropriate man who comes to her house with his parents so they can meet her and her parents and decide if she is suitable for their son.

After several rejections, Soorya meets handsome and charming Rajesh Vandepalli and his family who come all the way from Kansas City to New York for a bride viewing. Thinking he could not possibly find her attractive and balking at his unconventional and unstable career, Soorya makes it clear she is not interested in supporting him through a practical marriage, no matter how much her family likes him.

I enjoyed reading Bantwal's novel that deals with the experience of arranged marriages among the Indian culture in America. Soorya is clearly proud of her heritage, but she has also been raised in America, attended an Ivy League university and practices law in a prestigious firm. She is headstrong, proud and has a feisty character. She's also inexperienced in dating and relationships and now craves romance, marriage and children.

Growing up in an immigrant family, I could relate to Soorya, although we come from diverse backgrounds. Soorya loves being a New Yorker, but culture does shape who she is, from the food, Hindu religion, modest dress and customs to the way her grandmother, who lives with them is highly respected. I enjoyed watching Soorya blossom both professionally and personally and see herself as more than just a plain girl who was always rejected.

This was a fun book to read, although there were some scenes I didn't care for. I initially thought it would be a serious book from its cover, but Soorya has a good sense of humour, and I accepted the author's invitation to “join Soorya Giri on her bumpy journey to find that nebulous, elusive thing called 'love'”.

I will count this book toward the following challenges: Reading the World Challenge

Disclosure: Thanks to the author and Pump Up Your Book Promotion for sending me this book for review. I was not compensated in any other way, nor told how to rate or review this product.

Monday, September 26, 2011

The Grief of Others by Leah Hager Cohen

The Grief of Others by Leah Hager Cohen (Rated: P, S)
Riverhead Books
ISBN: 978-1594488054
Published Sept 15, 2011
Hardcover, 384 pages

John and Ricky Ryrie lose their third child only fifty-seven hours after it was born. This loss, and the secret Ricky kept from her husband about the baby's condition test their disintegrating marriage and affect the lives of their 10 and 14 year-old children. But when John's daughter from a previous relationship comes back into their lives pregnant, the isolation in this family begins to dissolve.

This book started out really good but gradually after the first hundred pages it became tedious reading for me. The story seemed to lose its momentum and continuity. I didn't care much for Ricky. I thought Ricky was selfish the way she kept that secret from her family, and I felt it was a domino affect from there. Even before this baby's conception she was unfaithful and took her husband for granted. She set up her family to believe one thing and then left them to deal with the aftermath when it didn't happen. I can understand a person making mistakes, but she seemed calculating in the way she made hers, without thought to how it would affect her family, her children.

The sense of loss is heavy in this book permeating every scene. It wasn't just the loss of the baby but the way the characters dealt with their lives and the disconnect of the family unit. No one was happy. I felt for Biscuit, the ten year-old daughter who was left to grieve and figure things out on her own. I felt the story could have moved along more quickly without all the details about every thought a character had that I didn't care to know. Some of those details were so brutally honest that I felt like a peeping Tom with no right to know certain things. Having said all this, I do think the author was insightful about building her characters, and she created interesting ones, realistic in their reactions, especially John and his teen son.

Finally two thirds into the book, I only skimmed through it to see how it ended. Although this book got some great reviews, I was left disappointed. What's more, the text is scattered with profanity (F-words especially) and some explicit references to sexual activities, all of which I felt tainted the author's lyrical writing and was unnecessary.

To read more reviews of this book, follow the tour here.

About the Author:
Leah Hager Cohen is the author of four nonfiction books, including Train Go Sorry and Glass, Paper, Beans, and three novels, most recently House Lights. Among the honors her books have received are selection as a New York Times Notable Book (four times); American Library Association Ten Best Books of the Year; and a Booksense 76 Pick. She is a frequent contributor to the New York Times Book Review.

Visit Leah at her website, leahhagercohen.com, and read her blog, Love as a Found Object. Join Leah’s fanpage on Facebook.

Disclosure: Thanks to the publisher and TLC Book Tours for sending me this book for review. I was not compensated in any other way, nor told how to rate or review this product.

Sunday, September 25, 2011

Mailbox Monday for September 26

Mailbox Monday was created by Marcia at A Girl and Her Books. It is the gathering place for readers to share the books that came into their house last week. Amused by Books is hosting for the month of September. You can view the touring blog list at Mailbox Monday blog for the upcoming months.

Emily Included: A True Story by Kathleen McDonnell (for review from Second Story Press)

The true story of Emily Eaton, born with cerebral palsy in Ontario. Emily and her family fought for years for Emily to be treated like a “normal”, everyday kid in a regular classroom. Their fight, which began at a time when children with CP were segregated, was groundbreaking. Her story makes her an amazing role model for children everywhere - whether they are living with a disability or not.



Big in China: My Unlikely Adventures Raising a Family, Playing the Blues, and Becoming a Star in Beijing by Alan Paul (for review from HarperCollins)

When Alan Paul's wife was offered the job as the Wall Street Journal's China bureau chief, he saw it as an amazing opportunity to shake up their increasingly staid suburban New Jersey life. Excited and not a little scared, they packed up their three children—ages two, four, and seven—and headed for adventure and uncertainty in Beijing, China.

Based on his award-winning Wall Street Journal Online column, "The Expat Life," Big in China explores Paul's unlikely three-and-a-half-year journey of reinvention in this rapidly developing metropolis. He reveals the challenges that he and his family faced while living in a foreign land, including reaching beyond the expat community, coming to terms with his new role as a stay-at-home dad, and learning to navigate and thrive in an unfamiliar culture. By viewing an intimidating challenge as a golden opportunity rather than as a burden, he saw his world open up around him.

31 Dates in 31 Days by Tamara Duricka Johnson (for review from Seal Press)

On the eve of her 31st birthday, after yet another painful breakup, Tamara Duricka Johnson decides it’s time to overhaul her dating habits. When a friend jokingly suggests that she embark on a “dating project,” inspiration strikes: in honor of turning 31, she'll go on 31 dates in 31 days — and resist the urge to turn each date into her next relationship. Instead, she’ll have to wait until the 31st date to pick one of the 30 men to go out with a second time. Some dates are awful, while others are amazing—but all of them help change her attitude about dating and men in general. She opens up to the world around her and develops a handful of crushes, making it difficult to decide who will be the lucky final date. In the end, though, she realizes there’s only one man of the entire thirty that she can see herself marrying — and one year later, she does. Chatty, fun, and confessional, 31 Dates in 31 Days is an entertaining journey that offers astute insights into the modern dating scene.

So what did you get in your mailbox last week?

Saturday, September 24, 2011

Kid Konnection: From funny to thoughtful

The following books were a hit in my house this last month. One is about two hilarious rodents who are always hungry, the second about learning what can help our bodies function better, and the third about a homeless man with a big heart.

The Vole Brothers by Roslyn Schwartz
(Rated: C)
Owlkids
ISBN: 978-1926818832
Published Aug 30, 2011
Harcover, 32 pages

My son declared it “the cutest book ever” and loved the colored pencil drawings. He's right! The Vole brothers are simply adorable!

This is the fun tale of two ravenous rodents who will stop at nothing to get their tummies filled, even daring to outsmart a fat cat to get some delicious food. While we giggled at the tenacity and antics of the Vole brothers we also felt the suspense build as we wondered if they were finally going to get what they were after.

The dialogue is written in speech bubbles giving this book a little of a comic book feel. I was pleasantly surprised that although the text is very simple, the story is rich because of the illustrations and the onomatopoeia (words that represent the sound they imitate) such as beep, crunch and slurp that are spread throughout the book.

This is a feel-good, funny book with the message to never give up. Parents will get a kick out of reading it to their youngsters as much as the kids will enjoy the vivacity of those lovable rodents. We loved reading it together. Highly recommended.

Disclosure: Thanks to the publisher for sending me this book for review. I was not compensated in any other way, nor told how to rate or review this product.


What Do You Use to Help Your Body? by Jewel Kats (Rated: C)
Loving Healing Press
ISBN: 978-1615990825
Published May 28, 2011
Softcover, 28 pages

Having worked with children and adults with disabilities, I am always interested in books that feature ways for children to learn more about other people's disabilities. This book proved to be one of those books. It allows for parents to open up a discussion on being different.

Maggie goes out on a walk with her mom, who has made it a special walk because she has arranged for Maggie to meet people who use different things to help their bodies. My children thought it was interesting because they learned about assistive devices, such as hearing aids, prosthesis, guide dogs and communication boards--something my children thought was cool. In addition to meeting people with various disabilities, they are from different cultures, too, adding realism to the story. We began to talk about people we knew who used assistive devices such as my children's Grandma who wears a hearing aid.

Children have a natural curiosity about devices but sometimes seeing a person very different from them may be scary. I remember working in a school with a boy who had an artificial leg he shlepped to school every day and put on so he could learn to walk without his wheelchair. The kids in his class avoided him simply because that leg freaked them out until the day we got the whole class to sit in a circle and listen to the boy explain all about his leg. Then suddenly it was the coolest thing! The kids now wanted to touch it and see how it worked.

I wish I had had this book to introduce those kids to assistive devices because I think it's a good resource for educators, especially those who have disabled kids integrated in their classrooms. It is simple to read, shows insight on the feelings of disabled people, and serves as an educational tool as well. Older kids would need a book with more depth but this one is ideal for the 4-8 year-old target audience.

Disclosure: Thanks to the publisher for sending me this book for review. I was not compensated in any other way, nor told how to rate or review this product.


Abe's Lucky Day by Jill Warren (Rated: C)
Outskirts Press
ISBN: 978-1432773052
Published July 7, 2011
Softcover, 32 pages

I was happy to win this book and share it with my children. It exposed my children to what life is like for someone with no home. It opened up a discussion about homelessness and what it means to be kind.

The story is about a homeless man named Abe. No explanation is given about why he is homeless but only that his family lives far away and he is all alone in a big, noisy city. I appreciated this because it left little room for racial prejudice. Abe is a kind, considerate man who helps others even when the majority may think that in some of the situations it would have been understandable had he acted self-serving. Again, I appreciated this because it made me reflect on the Holocaust survivors who had been kind to their cellmates even at great cost to themselves.

Abe gets a chance to change his life and he is grateful. He finds himself lucky not for this reason but because he had the opportunity to help several people throughout the course of his day. The illustrations are simple but colorful and suggestive.

This book was fruit for thought for me and my children. The sadness of Abe's homelessness was tapered by his generosity toward others, his positive outlook despite his grim life situation, and the hopeful tone of the book. I found this a deeply reflective and well-written story.

Disclosure: Thanks to the author for sending me this book for review. I was not compensated in any other way, nor told how to rate or review this product.

Every Saturday, Booking Mama hosts a feature called Kid Konnection—a regular weekend feature about anything related to children's books. If you'd like to participate in Kid Konnection and share a post about anything related to children's books (picture, middle grade, or young adult) from the past week, visit Booking Mama.

Wednesday, September 21, 2011

Life of Shouty: Good Habits by NeonSeon

Life of Shouty: Good Habits by NeonSeon (Rated: C)
Rixkin
ISBN: 978-0984206902
Published May 18, 2010
Hardcover, 32 pages


Life of Shouty is a series that focuses on personal issues. In Good Habits, Shouty Mack's life is not going well because he is not focused and doesn't practice good habits like planning and prioritizing. The book is written in rhyme with simple illustrations.

This book was not what my kids and I expected though, probably because it focused on good habits that were more suited to adults. Apart from good habits that are pretty universal such as flossing and cleaning one's room, the main character Shouty faces bad habits no kid has. That's because Shouty is not a kid. He is a young adult. No reference to school is made, but instead Shouty lazes around and chills out in front of the TV neglecting to mow the lawn, do the laundry, work on his tax returns, renew his license or pay his bills. One of the book lines even refers to the habit of drinking, to which my kids response was, “What's wrong with drinking, Mom?” That's when I had to tell them it seemed the book was referring to excessive alcohol drinking as the bad habit and well.... not water (because that's what my kids drink!). Why would this even be mentioned as a tempting bad habit in a children's book?

Shouty Mack, from which this book is based, was initially a comic strip for a high school newspaper, but the author decided to develop a children's series from it. Unfortunately, a picture book aimed at an audience of 8 and up with adult themes is inappropriate and will not have the right appeal. It would have needed to be modified to suit its audience.  


Disclosure: Thanks to Rixpin and Pump Up Your Book Promotions for sending me this book for review. I was not compensated in any other way, nor told how to rate or review this product.

Sunday, September 18, 2011

Mailbox Monday for September 19

Mailbox Monday was created by Marcia at A Girl and Her Books. It is the gathering place for readers to share the books that came into their house last week. Amused by Books is hosting for the month of September. You can view the touring blog list at Mailbox Monday blog for the upcoming months.


Wonderstruck by Brian Selznick (from Scholastic for review)

Playing with the form he created in his trailblazing debut novel, The Invention of Hugo Cabret, Brian Selznick once again sails into uncharted territory and takes readers on an awe-inspiring journey.

Ben and Rose secretly wish their lives were different. Ben longs for the father he has never known. Rose dreams of a mysterious actress whose life she chronicles in a scrapbook. When Ben discovers a puzzling clue in his mother's room and Rose reads an enticing headline in the newspaper, both children set out alone on desperate quests to find what they are missing.

Set fifty years apart, these two independent stories--Ben's told in words, Rose's in pictures--weave back and forth with mesmerizing symmetry. How they unfold and ultimately intertwine will surprise you, challenge you, and leave you breathless with wonder. Rich, complex, affecting, and beautiful--with over 460 pages of original artwork--Wonderstruck is a stunning achievement from a uniquely gifted artist and visionary.

So what did you get in your mailbox last week?

Wednesday, September 14, 2011

The Queen of Last Hopes: The Story of Margaret of Anjou by Susan Higginbotham

The Queen of Last Hopes: The Story of Margaret of Anjou by Susan Higginbotham (Rated: C)
ISBN: 978-1-4022-4281-6
Sourcebooks Landmark
Published Jan 1, 2011
Trade Paperback, 332 pages

Reviewed by Sandra

This novel about little-known Margaret of Anjou is written from the viewpoint of several narrators. In essence, it describes in great detail the beginning of what history has termed “the Wars of the Roses,” that is, the incessant fighting that occurred between two aspirants to the throne of England, the House of Lancaster and the House of York.

The events take place during the years 1444 through 1482. It begins with the marriage of 15-year-old passionate, proud, strong-willed Margaret of Anjou to Henry VI of England of the House of Lancaster. He is a gentle, sweet, somewhat ineffective king, more interested in religion than military matters. By the time they marry his mental state is unstable and by the time their only son is born Henry suffers a complete breakdown. Rumors and innuendo swirl around Margaret because it is believed that the king is unable to father children. Margaret fails to gain the love and respect of the people.

When the king is deposed, and the rival Yolkiest takes the throne, Margaret fights to maintain the English crown for her son. Betrayals, horrible deaths of supporters, deeply-felt losses all contribute to the eventual decline and defeat of the House of Lancaster. When her husband dies in the Tower (was he murdered?) and their son dies in battle, Margaret is broken in spirit. Her aspirations for her son come to nothing in the end. She lives out her days in France and is buried there.

It was somewhat difficult to follow all of the names of people in the novel, many of whom had names and titles that differed. I had to keep referring back to the beginning of the book where the various players are listed. This novel is very fast-moving and detailed. Good insight is given into the life of this strong French woman who became a Queen of England.

Historical novel fans will enjoy this book.

Disclosure: Thanks to Sourcebooks for sending me this book as a gift. I was not compensated in any other way, nor told how to rate or review this product.

Sunday, September 11, 2011

Mailbox Monday for September 12


This has a been a super busy week for me, juggling three jobs, volunteering and book reviewing. Summer is definitely over!

Mailbox Monday was created by Marcia at A Girl and Her Books. It is the gathering place for readers to share the books that came into their house last week. Amused by Books is hosting for the month of September. You can view the touring blog list at Mailbox Monday blog for the upcoming months.

The Frankincense Trail by Jody Kihara (for review from Book Promotions)

In 200BC, frankincense was worth its weight in gold, making Arabia was the envy of the world. But wealth comes at a cost: the precious resin was transported along the Frankincense Road, a dangerous route through rocky mountains and barren desert. Alia is a princess in a dwindling kingdom that lies on the Frankincense Road. Having grown up hearing tales of the famous Queen of Sheba, she dreams of finding a way to restore her kingdom’s former might. When a caravan journeying to the mysterious incense lands stops to take on travellers, she sees her chance. She soon realises, however, that her trust in the caravan leaders has been misguided. They are not mere incense merchants, but traitors and mercenaries. Alia’s journey soon turns from dangerous to life-threatening. The Frankincense Trail is a story that transports the reader to a time and place reminiscent of the Arabian Nights tales.


I was Jane Austen's Best Friend: A Secret Diary by Cora Harrison (for review from HarperCollins)

When shy Jenny Cooper goes to stay with her cousin Jane Austen, she knows nothing of the world of beautiful dresses, dances, secrets, gossip, and romance that Jane inhabits. At fifteen, Jane is already a sharp observer of the customs of courtship. So when Jenny falls utterly in love with Captain Thomas Williams, who better than Jane to help her win the heart of this dashing man?

The Whole Truth by Kit Pearson (for review from Harpercollins)

"After it happened they were sent away.” So begins Kit Pearson’s new novel of mystery and family loyalty. It is 1932. Polly, almost ten, and her older sister, Maud, travel by train and boat from Winnipeg to an island between Vancouver and Victoria. There they will live with their grandmother, who will be their guardian. Maud will go to boarding school in Victoria, while Polly will live with her grandmother and attend the small school on the island.

Their grandmother and other family members welcome the girls warmly; new-school jitters give way to new friendships and even a new puppy; and slowly Polly feels that she is becoming part of a larger family she never knew until now.

But Polly and Maud have a dramatic secret, and they have promised each other never to tell anyone. A surprise arrival on the island, however, threatens Polly’s newfound happiness and tests the bonds of family love. Can Polly keep the secret and her new life on the island?


Big Nate on a Roll by Lincoln Peirce (for review from HarperCollins)

Big Nate is on a roll!
Nate’s a big deal in his scout troop . . . until Artur—aka Mr. Perfect—joins up. Now Nate’s stuck in second place. And Artur means business.
Will Nate take the grand prize? Or wipe out, big time?


Life of Shouty: Good Habits by NeonSeon (from Pump Up Your Book Tours)

This touching story helps children understand that bad habits can follow them into adulthood. Clever and insightful, the pop art illustrations reveal Shouty's journey as he tries to develop good habits and become the person he wants to be. Can Shouty pull through and make better choices? Find out in this encouraging tale.



Life of Shouty: Food and Fitness by NeonSeon (from Pump Up Your Book Tours)

In the second book of the Life of Shouty series, Shouty goes from overweight and overwhelmed to fit and focused. Life of Shouty: Food & Fitness promotes a healthy, active lifestyle and reminds us it's never too late to start making changes.

So what did you get in your mailbox last week?

That Day in September: A Personal Remembrance of 9/11 by Artie Van Why

That Day in September: A Personal Remembrance of 9/11 by Artie Van Why (Rated: C)
ISBN: 978-1411683150
Lulu Press
Published: 2006
Trade Paperback, 84 pages

Reviewed by Sandra

Probably everyone remembers where they were and what they were doing on Tuesday, September 11, 2001, now familiarly known simply as 9/11. I know I do. We were all glued to the television, it seemed, riveted by the repeated broadcasts of incomprehensible events. It was difficult enough viewing the unfolding tragedy from the comfort of our homes, but this book is an eyewitness account. Artie Van Why lived it.

The author was in love with New York City and The World Trade Center area. He worked for a law firm just across from it. He loved the ritual of getting his daily coffee from the “coffee man” in the area, browsing in the bookstore in Building Number 5, sitting in the plaza area of the World Trade precinct, people-watching, the free noontime concerts during the summer, the spontaneous dancing that occurred as people, young and old, New Yorkers and tourists alike would respond to the music. These were the all the small and large things that made up life in the city. Referring to this special place he writes “it was an oasis for the worker in a tedious workday, a fascination for the visitor seeing the sights, a small world of its own that held some of the elements that make New York so dynamic, so interesting, and oh so alive. It had a breath of its own.” And then the unthinkable happened and destroyed that reverie.

The events of “that day in September” are clearly and soberly described. The reader gets a sense of the reality of the events – it’s not just a story - the confusion, the panic, and the sheer horror of seeing people jumping from the towers to their death. Fortunately each chapter of the book is short, usually consisting of one or two pages only.

The author describes how he dealt with the events of 9/11 and continues to deal with the aftermath. “I think of 9/11 every day. I still tense when I hear an airplane overhead. ….whenever I hear a siren, I hear, in my mind, the loud wailing of all those sirens that day. I have an occasional flashback where something stimulates my whole body and, for a brief second or two, I’m back there – in that day – amid the falling debris.” On the other hand, his experiences have moved him to seize the day and live. “And to honor those who are gone, I will not forget to live.

On the whole, I believe the message is positive. The author has chosen to move ahead, one day at a time. Writing this account of his experiences on “that day in September” has enabled him to do so.

I’m glad I’ve had the opportunity to read his memoir.

Disclosure: Thanks to the author for sending me this book for review. I was not compensated in any other way, nor told how to rate or review this product.

Friday, September 9, 2011

Winners of Back to the Books Giveaway!

Congratulations to my two winners of the Back to the Books Giveaway Hop!

They are:

#16 Wall-to-Wall Books - Winner of Little Black Dress by Susan McBride
#144 Stacy - Winner of How to Love an American Man by Kristine Gasbarre

The winners have been chosen using Random.org and have been emailed. They have 48 hours to claim their prizes. I would like to thank William Morrow and Harper for offering these books to give away. Also a big thank you to TLC Book Tours, all the participants, and to all my current and new followers. You rock!

Wednesday, September 7, 2011

Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury

Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury (Rated: P mild)
Ballantine Books
May 1988 Edition (First edition 1953)
Hardcover, 182 pages

This dystopian classic novel published in early 1950s is about a futuristic society that bans books and burns them. Guy Montag is a fireman whose job it is to burn these books and the houses that hold them. He has never questioned his job until one day his new neighbour, 17 year-old Clarisse makes him think about things he has never thought about. Her curiosity and love of life stirs up a deep sadness and anger in him that sets in motion a series of events that lead to the beginning of change for society and Montag himself.

I liked this book. I appreciated how accurate Ray Bradbury portrayed some aspects of a society fifty years into the future—a society in which I am now living. It is a society in which large screened TVs are like family members, children are barely tolerated, and suicide is so common, it is mainstream. Montag is a likable character and his change propels the story forward at a good pace. The other interesting characters were Beatty, the chief fireman; Faber, a secret book lover waiting for the right person who would initiate change; and Clarisse, who I would have loved to know more about.

I especially liked that the author used the Bible as one of the banned books featured in this story, which really should not be all that surprising since it was, and still is in some areas, one of the most banned books in history. Who can forget those horrifying depictions of people in the Middle Ages being burned with a copy of the Bible hanging around their necks? Even today I know of countries where religious literature is banned and confiscated with those who own them placed in jail. In the 21st century? Shocking, I know.

Compared to today's dystopian novels this one is fairly tame, with little violence. The chase scene is suspenseful but not heart-pounding. It is the perfect book to discuss the ethical issue of controlling one's freedom to read and educate himself. This book was one of our book club selections. It makes for a great discussion with a mixed bag of feeling. Some loved it and some did not and others did not even bother reading it. For my part, I am glad to have read it.

Note: There is some mild profanity.

I will count this book toward the following challenges: Dystopian Challenge, Support Your Local Library Challenge

Disclosure: I borrowed this book from the library and was not told how to rate or review this product.

Monday, September 5, 2011

Lady of the English by Elizabeth Chadwick


Lady of the English by Elizabeth Chadwick (Rated:C)
ISBN: 978-1-4022-5092-7
Sourcebooks Landmark
Published: Sept 1, 2011
Trade Paperback, 544 pages

Reviewed by Sandra

This book is historical fiction at its best: fiction with the ring of truth, history written as a story. Under the pen of Elizabeth Chadwick, the maven of historical fiction, the two main characters, Empress Matilda and Queen Adeliza come to life through the mists of time!

We meet Empress Matilda at the age of twenty-three. She is the grieving widow of Emperor Heinrich V of Germany and is returning to her father’s court. She is variously described as proud, headstrong, regal, and strong-willed. The author speculates that these characteristics were the result of kicking against a society that had rigid ideas about female roles and female power. Queen Adeliza, stepmother to Mathilda is about the same age and is kind, gentle, and a submissive wife, religious, generous to the poor, a peacemaker. A strong bond is formed between them as they share family ties, the same social standing, and were both benefactors to religious institutions of the day.

King Henry forces his daughter, Matilda, to marry Geoffrey of Anjou despite her objections (he’s a young lad of 14) for political purposes and their marriage is fraught with discord and contention. She finally produces a male heir and a couple of spares. Then, King Henry suddenly dies and the bid for the throne commences. Although Matilda is the legitimate heir, though not of the proper sex, her cousin, Stephen, takes the throne. People rally around him. Years of fighting and killing follow in an attempt to solidify power. Matilda finally, begrudgingly realizes that she will never sit on England’s throne, but is determined to secure it for her son. Meanwhile, Queen Adeliza marries a prominent baron, Will D’Albini. He is an ardent supporter of Matilda’s rival for the throne, which distresses his wife. Adeliza is torn between her loyalty to Matilda and her love for her husband. She takes comfort in having her most ardent wish fulfilled – she births at least 6 children, despite being barren in her 15 years of marriage to Henry.

As the account ends, Henry II, Matilda’s firstborn son and future husband of Eleanor of Aquitaine and future father of Richard the Lionheart, is soon to ascend the throne. She has done her duty for history. Adeliza and Will’s love story ends on a very poignant note as she retires to a nunnery.

The descriptions in the book make the 12th century come alive for me.“The women patted her hair dry and rubbed it with a silk cloth, before combing it and plaiting it tightly. Then they covered it with a fine white veil, edged with pearls and gold. Her gown was embroidered blue silk; her cloak was lined with ermine as befitted a queen and an empress.” The author’s attention to the tiniest details about that era enables the reader to visualize scenes she describes.

This is a book about two strong women, each trying to maintain dignity in their respective circumstances and attempting to live meaningful lives in a world dominated by men. Ardent readers of historical fiction will enjoy yet another masterpiece by Elizabeth Chadwick.

Disclosure: Thanks to Laura Brotzman from Sourcebooks for sending me this book for review. I was not compensated in any other way, nor told how to rate or review this product.

Sunday, September 4, 2011

Mailbox Monday for September 5

Mailbox Monday was created by Marcia at A Girl and Her Books. It is the gathering place for readers to share the books that came into their house last week. Amused by Books is hosting for the month of September. You can view the touring blog list at Mailbox Monday blog for the upcoming months.

A River to Cross by Yvonne Harris (for review from Bethany House)

Texas Ranger Jake Nelson patrols the U.S.-Mexico border, protecting the settlers from cattle rustlers, outlaws, and bandits. Sparks fly when Manuel Diego stirs up a revolt against the government, which leads to the murder of a newspaperman, who is the son of a U.S. senator, and the kidnapping of his sister, Elizabeth Madison, a journalist in the making. With Elizabeth's photograph in hand--a dark-haired beauty with smiling eyes--Jake rides over the border to find her. After the Rangers defeat the marauders and rescue Elizabeth, Jake is surprised to learn she's not the spoiled daughter of a senator that he was expecting. In fact, he finds himself taken by her. And she by him. But the Mexicans won't give up that easily, as Elizabeth becomes the target of an all-out hunt. Leaving Elizabeth back at Fort Williams, Jake and his men set off again, this time to go after Diego himself--to apprehend him and his renegades and bring them all to justice. Meanwhile, Jake knows what's begun between him and Elizabeth is undeniable. Amid all the turmoil, Jake finally admits how much he loves her. She tells him the same. Until now, they've lived in different worlds, yet it is those differences that drew them together.

What do You Use to Help Your Body? Maggie Explores the World of Disabilities by Jewel Kats (for review from ReviewtheBook.com)

Who are the people with disabilities in your neighborhood? Maggie and Momma love going for walks. During every outing, Maggie learns about something new. Today's no different! Momma has arranged for Maggie to meet lots of people in her neighborhood. They all have different jobs. They all come from different cultures. They all use different things to help their bodies. Maggie doesn't just stop to chit-chat. Rather, she gets to the bottom of things. By asking the right question, she discovers how many people with disabilities use aids to help them out. Let's find out how they work, too!

So what did you get in your mailbox last week?



Saturday, September 3, 2011

Kid Konnection: The Magic of Finkleton by KC Hilton


The Magic of Finkleton by KC Hilton (Rated: C)
CreateSpace
ISBN: 978-1456570293
Published April 26, 2011
Paperback, 190 pages

When I saw this book's gorgeous cover and read the glowing reviews, I got this book for my kids so we could discover along with the Finkle kids the secrets they stumble upon in Finkleton. After reading the synopsis to my daughter she told me outright that it sounded very predictable. She didn't seem excited as I was to read it along with me. Nonetheless, I snuggled with my kids on the bed and began reading. The first chapter was promising but by the third chapter, my son told me there was too much dialogue and not enough action.

Both my kids were right.

From then on we struggled through it. My son lost total interest and my daughter and I were bored. The story had an interesting premise about a family who inherited their Uncle Harry's shop and moved to Finkleton, where they discover magical hidden secrets in the shop. The setting is England but the time is unclear leaving us to guess that it took place sometime in the 19th century. I liked this because I envisioned a wholesome story with children who wouldn't be distracted by modern technology but rather would cleverly use their wits to solve the mystery of Finkleton. While the story is wholesome, we did not consider the children witty. Except maybe for Robert, the youngest, who figured things out and took an interest in the hourglasses. But we did like how in the end they came to work together for the good of their town.

The problem was that the story was very slow with not much suspense. The excessive dialogue was irritating  because it did nothing to move the plot forward. Each chapter could have been easily cut in half. Too much telling and not enough showing. An editor would have caught this and helped to polish the text.

We really wanted to like this book but in the end, my daughter and I didn't care for any of the children (Jack 14, Lizzy 12 and Robert 8) who bickered like preschoolers and cried often. All the children acted younger than their age. My daughter remarked that Lizzy seemed more like a 7 year-old in her behaviour. I could see that she couldn't relate to her. Moreover, character development was lacking as well as the magical wonder we were expecting. Even Mr. Lowsley, the antagonist (if we could call him that) was quite tame.

This book might work for a young audience but savvy middle-graders who are used to action and adventure and meatier plots... well they might just roll their eyeballs and move on. But that's only our family's opinion. Sometimes tame and predictable is good too.

I will count this book toward the following challenges: Middle-grade Book Challenge

Disclosure: Thanks to the author and ReviewtheBook.com for sending me this book for review. I was not compensated in any other way, nor told how to rate or review this product.

Every Saturday, Booking Mama hosts a feature called Kid Konnection—a regular weekend feature about anything related to children's books. If you'd like to participate in Kid Konnection and share a post about anything related to children's books (picture, middle grade, or young adult) from the past week, visit Booking Mama.

Thursday, September 1, 2011

Back to the Books Giveaway Hop


Back to the Books Giveaway Hop is hosted by Kathy from I Am A Reader, Not a Writer
and
Co-Hosted by Buried in Books
It runs from Sept 1 to 7, 2011

I am giving away two great books - one for each winner.

How to Love an American Man by Kristine Gasbarre

I loved this book! You can read my review here.

and

Little Black Dress by Susan McBride

Discover the magic of a little black dress! You can read my review here.

Giveaway Rules:
Mandatory:
1) Leave a comment with an email address. If you have a preference for either one of the books, state it. You can only win one book.

Extra entries:
Each extra entry MUST be a separate comment or it will not count.
1) If you are a follower, new or current, leave a comment telling me so.
2) Like me on Facebook and leave me a comment telling me you did.
3) Follow me on Twitter and leave me a comment telling me you did.

*Buttons for following found on top left-hand corner of blog.
*Giveaway ends Sept 7, 2011.
*Giveaway open to Canada and US.
*Please read my Giveaway Policy before entering my giveaways.
To enter more giveaways on the Back to Books Giveaway Hop, visit the link page of participating blogs.

Little Black Dress by Susan McBride (TLC Book Tours)

Little Black Dress by Susan McBride (Rated: P mild, a few vulgar words only)
William Morrow
ISBN: 978-0062027191
Published Aug 23, 2011
Paperback, 320 pages

When Antonia's (Toni) mom, Evie, suffers a massive stroke, Toni runs to be by her side even if things have not always gone smoothly between them. Back in her childhood home Toni discovers secrets about her past connected to Evie's sister Annabelle who disappeared fifty years ago the night before her wedding. Toni also discovers the little black dress and its magical element that changes their family drastically but finally reunites them.

I read this book in two days, quickly becoming engrossed in the two stories it tells: Antonia's and Evie's. It's a story about forgiveness, acceptance and the complicated love between mothers and daughter and between sisters. The story is told in alternating chapters between Antonia and Evie. Both were interesting, but I liked Evie's story more because it was in the past, uncovering the details of what truly happened that shaped all of their lives and ultimately also Antonia's. I did not mind the back and forth, actually it made me want to read faster to get back to the other time period.

McBride created a cast of characters beautifully and almost effortlessly. I could see them very well in my mind's eye, especially the mysterious and unrestrained Annabelle. We get to know Evie through her own story from childhood to motherhood, but also through her daughter Toni's eyes. McBride is a gifted storyteller that infuses her work with subtle magical elements while keeping the drama real and believable. There were times where you could clearly see where it was heading, a foreboding of what was to come, sad as it was because of mental illness, yet it was filled with promised hope. It's essentially a feel-good book about the power of family bonds and a little black dress, of course.

The author begins her book with a quote from Coco Chanel, “A woman without a little black dress has no future.” Once I finished the novel I noted that this quote truly summarizes the book perfectly! The little black dress really symbolized what we secretly desire and what we will do to make it happen. After all, what woman has not donned her little black dress and not felt special, exuding what we love to think of as girl power? After reading this book, you will never see your little black dress in the same way.

For more reviews, follow the book tour here.

About the author:
Susan McBride is the author of The Cougar Club and has written five award-winning Debutante Dropout Mysteries (HarperCollins/Avon), including Blue Blood, The Good Girl’s Guide To Murder, The Lone Star Lonely Hearts Club, Night Of The Living Deb, and Too Pretty To Die. She has authored several YA series books for Random House about debutantes in Houston, the debut in 2008 appropriately titled The Debs and followed by Love, Lies, And Texas Dips in 2009.She lives in St. Louis, Missouri, with her husband, Ed, who makes every day a little magical.

Visit Susan at her website, susanmcbride.com.
Disclosure: Thanks to TLC Book Tours and William Morrow for sending me this book for review. I was not compensated in any other way, nor told how to rate or review this product.

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