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I Kissed Dating Goodbye: A New Attitude Toward Relationships and Romance
Joshua Harris
Invisible (An Ivy Malone Mystery Book, #1)
Lorena McCourtney
Revisiting The Reading Workshop: Management, Mini-Lessons, & Strategies
Barbara Orehove, Barbara Orehovec, Marybeth Alley
Look Again
Lisa Scottoline
Dog Whisperer: The Ghost
Nicholas Edwards
Living and Dying in the Hamptons
T.L. Ingham
Murder and Mischief in the Hamptons
T.L. Ingham
A Guide to Writing of Children's Books: Proceedings of the Writers' Workshop on Children's Books
National Book Development Council Of Sin

Bluffing the Devil

Bluffing the Devil - C.L. Foster Alexia has suffered a loss and as a result she has decided to become a professional poker player. She is actually quite good at it but still has some insecurities. A poker trip with her three besties leads her on a wild-ish ride of self-discovery.Sounds good, right? It was. I only had a couple of problems reading the book but it stemmed from one flaw. It could have, and should have, been longer. Really. The story wasn't full enough for me to become invested in the characters. I would have liked to get to know Alexia and hr friends a bit more before discovering who she and her friends were. I think this is the making of a better book. As you can see from the 4 stars I gave it; however, it was still a good book that I was able to read in a couple of hours and enjoy.

Clean Authors

A group of friends have come together to promote "clean" reads. Books written by authors of children, YA and adult literature of various genre that have left out the use of profanity, sex, horror and gory violence for the betterment of their writing.

 

I LOVE this idea. When a book is written well you don't need profanity to get a point across to the reader. When a book invokes your imagination it does not need to describe sexual contact in intimate detail. When an author uses the right words and settings descriptions violence need not be graphically described.

 

Good writing surpasses the need.

 

I hope you will join the authors, writers and readers when this website is up and running.

 

https://www.cleanauthors.com

 

Explosive Eighteen: A Stephanie Plum Novel (Stephanie Plum Novels)

Explosive Eighteen - Janet Evanovich I really like the characters in the books. They are fun and quirky. This particular episode into the life of Stephanie Plum actually made me laugh out loud. Stephanie is a skip tracer/bounty hunter who seems to have the worst luck and the best friends. Lula the 'ho, Uncle Vinnie, Ranger, Connie, Morelli and her parents round out her crazy life. She is constantly torn between two men and her morals aren't particularly strong. She just wants to do her job, get paid and maybe make up her mind about which guy she wants to become monogamous with. Fun books to read for a laid back summer.
"“You can never get a cup of tea large enough or a book long enough to suit me.”
"

― C.S. Lewis

Nearly Departed in Deadwood (Deadwood Mystery, #1)

Nearly Departed in Deadwood  -  C.S. Kunkle, Ann Charles This is the story of a single mom, Violet, who has had to regroup and start a new life. She moved in with her artistic aunt and became a real estate agent in Deadwood. She also has to sell a house within a week or find a new job. She is handed a few quirky characters who become her clients. One of my favorites is the humorous and quirky Harvey; a grizzled old man with a penchant for shotguns and profanity. Her clients include Doc, a hot guarded business neighbor who flirts with Violet but seems to have a few secrets and odd behaviors that makes him off-limits for anything other business; Wolfgang, the perfect man, incredibly handsome, a jeweler by profession, courteous, and generous who needs to sell his family home; Harvey, old and without boundaries, Violet met him at the end of Bessie - his shotgun; and Jeff, the scary, disgusting father of her daughter's new friend. Violet has become concerned with all of the children disappearing from Deadwood and a couple of other close towns. She noticed the eerie similarities to her daughter Addy. She had come back to Deadwood because it was a safe haven for her as a child. She had spent numerous summers with her aunt and her best friend, Natalie, who was a bit on the wild and loose side. The story focuses on developing the characters of Violet and her frazzled life first and the mystery second. It is almost an afterthought in reading the book. The author, Ann Charles, made the mystery part of the book easy to read. I figured out 'who done it' early on but wanted to continue reading about Violet's life. It was fun and humorous. I plan to read the next in the series.

Berried to the Hilt (Gray Whale Inn Series #4)

Berried to the Hilt - Karen MacInerney This is a fun cozy mystery series based in the Cranberry Isles of Maine. I love the references to area in which I have spent time. It gives me a melancholy feeling when I read them. The series is based on Natalie, a young 30-something woman who relocated to the Cranberry Island of the coast of Bar Harbor, Maine.She left her friends, family and career behind in Austin, Texas when she discovered her fiance was sleeping around.Natalie moved lock, stock and barrel and purchased an old shipping magnate's home and turned it into the Gray Whale Inn Bed and Breakfast. She sunk her life savings, and then some, into this endeavor. She is known for her wickedly sinful and decadent baking. Her niece, Gwen, has come to stay, and get her act together, while helping her Aunt Nat run the Inn. Gwen has also developed a relationship with a local Princeton educated lobsterman, much to her mother's chagrin. Natalie's best friend, Charlene, runs the local store and gossip shop. Her current fiance is the local deputy and artist, John. Natalie has the knack of being involved in murder. None of which has anything to do with her, honestly! However, the local newspaper seems to be out to ruin her business by implying that she does. The mainland sheriff isn't so sure she isn't. This time, it is a friend who is being accused of murder. She knows it cannot be true and almost dies trying to prove it. Natalie does not have a lot of common sense and she is constantly putting herself at risk by not thinking before leaping. This is a theme throughout the series. The series is fun and I love the references to Maine.

Antiques Roadkill: A Trash 'n' Treasures Mystery (Trash 'n' Treasures Mysteries)

Antiques Roadkill - Barbara Allan The book has some really great parts and some really not-so-much parts. The authors are writing as if they are telling a friend or new acquaintance about her (the main character's) crazy life. Unfortunately, it feels as if the characters ramble on too much and it gets repetitive, as well as, tiresome. The book begins with the main character describing her pitiful life. Recently divorced, broke, lost custody of her child and must move home to live with her bi-polar septuagenarian mother who has never been on the sane side of the tracks. Great premise for a story but the rambling took away from the story. There are great points of humor about how life can suck and yet we live through it and even thrive through the hardships.I'd like to read more of the stories to see if the authors depart from this rambling dialog that is, in all honesty, boring and repetitive. If it continues into the series in the same way I won't be able to read more. So far, book two just sent me into this same rambling diatribe, from the character's mother's perspective. Not liking this part of the book series.

Hattie and the Fox (Stories to Go!)

Hattie and the Fox - Mem Fox, Patricia Mullins As usual, Mem Fox can retell a children's classic better than most while keeping true to the story.

I'm Not Bobby!

I'm Not Bobby - Jules Feiffer Bobby is a naughty little boy. He does not answer when being called. Instead, Bobby uses his imagination to hide from his family and runs away to keep from being found. He imagines himself a lion, an astronaut, anything to keep from having to be "Bobby."My students enjoyed the repetition in the sibling calling "BOBBY!" and Bobby's response "I'm NOT Bobby!" I did not feel it was a moral tale as the boy was not doing what he should but the students knew he was "gonna' be in trouble" when he finally went home. Good story to teach use of imagination!

The Patchwork Quilt

The Patchwork Quilt - Valerie Flournoy Grandma is making a patchwork quilt from bits and pieces of fabric snipped from discarded old clothing and leftover material from sewn special occasion items. Tanya is curious as to what Grandma is doing and Mama just sees a mess. When Grandma becomes ill, Tanya takes over. She understands why Grandma makes the quilt from bits and pieces of her family's clothing. Mama and Tanya's brothers help out a bit as they see how hard she works to complete the quilt for Grandma. The surprise comes at the end when Tanya realizes something is missing from the patchwork quilt and when the quilt is finally finished. Lovingly written about the concept of family and how it used to be recorded, "in the olden days" before everyone could read and write. Also about the necessity of creating something from discarded materials, letting nothing go to waste, and reusing items to save money and provide for the family. Memories are made from loving hands. My students listened to this story and had great questions. I found that they still understand the concept of creating an heirloom and putting pieces of themselves into a family history. I adore books such as these because my students need to understand that just because something CAN be bought doesn't mean it SHOULD be bought.

David's Drawings

David's Drawings - Cathryn Falwell David likes to draw. He likes to draw what he sees. On the way to school, David sees a tree and finds it beautiful. When he gets to school, he draws what he sees. His classmates decide the drawing needs more and David allows them to add their own touches. He titles the piece "Our Class Picture" and hangs it on the bulletin board. On the way home, he sees the tree again. At home he draws the tree and his sister says it needs 'something.' I loved this book because of its simple messages. It appears David is quiet and reflective about his drawing but open to others' interpretation. At home, his interpretation is perfect.

The Wild Wild West (Geronimo Stilton Series #21)

The Wild Wild West (Geronimo Stilton Series #21) - Geronimo Stilton,  Larry Keys (Illustrator),  ratterto Rattonchi (Illustrator) Geronimo Stilton, fraidy-mouse extraordinaire, is traveling to the Wild West! Geronimo is the editor of the local newspaper. He is a calm mouse. He is a mouse who enjoys sitting at home, listening to classical music and drinking a nice cup of hot cheddar cheese tea. Geronimo learns to rope and ride in the Wild West and he stands up to the town bullies. In the end ... well you have to read the book to find that out.I enjoyed reading this Geronimo Stilton book as it addressed Native American tribes to some extent, delivered great vocabulary regarding horses, and actually threw in a little twist at the end. Stilton fans will love reading this book.

Summerset Abbey: A Bloom in Winter: Book Two

A Bloom in Winter - T.J. Brown Part two of the Summerset Abbey Trilogy finds the three women, Prudence, Victoria and Rowena in very different stages of their lives. One is married, one becomes engaged and one is jailed. A Bloom in Winter continues the story of the Buxton clan in the early 1900's London, England. Each of the women has a secret. Each suffer loss as they mature and lose their innocence. T.J. Brown has allowed this to become a little romantic without it turning into the "damsel in distress" historical romance. Although love is found in the novel it is also lost. The marriage of convenience turns into a real marriage of love and respect. The one engaged to cover her love of another end up staying engaged. The one jailed learns than she has been much too trusting and innocent at the hands of those she wished to emulate. Many changes took place for all of the Buxton clan as the Lord and Lady Buxton admit to mistakes and strive to make changes in the 'modern' world in which the women live. I enjoyed all the action and changes in the lives of these women, even if I was cheering for other relationships to work. I would like to see more development of cousin Elaine. Perhaps she will learn from her cousins' examples and become a more mature modern woman as well. Perhaps she will even find some romance in her life or maybe just a purpose. The only drawback of this book? It ended much to quickly and I am ready for number three!!!

Summerset Abbey

Summerset Abbey - T.J. Brown Summerset Abbey is a turn of the century historical novel. I won't say it is a historical romance novel even though there are undertones of romance throughout this story. Three young women are rocked by the death of a loved one, forced to leave the home and lifestyle in which they have grown up and betrayed by their own family. Victoria, Prudence and Rowena must face new challenges and heartache as they discover themselves and solve the mystery surrounding Prudence's true identity. First, I love historical novels. There, I said it. However, I do not like all that I have read. Most are focused on the damsel in distress to be saved by the rakish lord of the manor. Summerset Abbey is not that kind of a novel. T. J. Brown was able to turn the three young women, who had lived the life of privilege without most of the social norms, to turn into stronger, independent women of the era. She mentions suffrage and the New Woman, two key terms in this period of history, and the move from automobiles to aeroplanes. She also brings into play the limitations on families in each socio-economic level and the disparity between the classes that still existed during the period. Issues as mundane as smoking and drinking, as females were not supposed to smoke at all and only drink small quantities of certain liquors, are integrated without much effort. Great touches. I am looking forward to reading more about the women in book two.

Thea Stilton and the Cherry Blossom Adventure (Geronimo Stilton: Thea Series #6)

Thea Stilton and the Cherry Blossom Adventure: A Geronimo Stilton Adventure - Thea Stilton This was the first Thea Stilton book I have read and there wasn't much Thea Stilton in it. The story was about the "Thea Sisters" instead. A group of teenage girls who are friends with Thea and admire her so much they call themselves the Thea Sisters. The girls visit a Japanese school where they meet and become best friends with a Japanese student. A kidnapping, a theft and a betrayal set the stage for heartwarming reconciliation between father and daughter. In the end, the kidnapper, the thief and the betrayal are rectified and they all live happily ever after.I like the Thea Stilton series for the same reasons I like Geronimo Stilton, the books contain cultural information and a wonderful array of vocabulary words. My students love the graphic novel-esque feel to the books. The down side to these books is that they are written in a format method. After a couple of the books I am bored. This Thea Stilton book did not excite me as much as I thought it would. Still, for third and fourth grade reading ability the books will hold the interest and students may actually learn something while they read!

Surf's Up, Geronimo! (Geronimo Stilton Series #20)

Surf's Up, Geronimo! - Geronimo Stilton Although I normally LOVE Geronimo Stilton books for their cultural, physical information and the entertaining way in which the books are written, I felt this one was not as good. Premise: Geronimo feels it is time for a vacation and his cousin agrees. Cousin Trap leads Geronimo to a shady-looking travel agency and then teams up to bully Geronimo into buying an over-priced vacation that turns into a horrendous affair. The plane is dirty, the food inedible, the hotel roach infested, the beach over-crowded, the ocean laden with sharks. The vacation is horrible!My issue with this book is how much bullying takes place and how easily Geronimo allows it to happen. His cousin, the travel agent, the staff at the airline, the hotel, and even his sister, Thea, bullies Geronimo. The books provide great vocabulary and usually information on the location or adventure in the book. This particular one fell short for me.