Book Review: Interrupted by Rachel Coker

Can love really heal all things? If Sam Carroll hadn't shown up, she might have been able to get to her mother in time. Instead, Allie Everly finds herself at a funeral, mourning the loss of her beloved mother. She is dealt another blow when, a few hours later, she is sent from Tennessee to Maine to become the daughter of Miss Beatrice Lovell, a prim woman with a faith Allie cannot accept. Poetry and letters written to her mother become the only things keeping Allie s heart from hardening completely. But then Sam arrives for the summer, and with him comes many confusing emotions, both toward him and the people around her. As World War II looms, Allie will be forced to decide whether hanging on to the past is worth losing her chance to be loved."

My Thoughts...

Interrupted is quite the novel for an author who was fourteen when she wrote it. The entire plot grabbed my attention and had me flipping the pages near the end. In the first few chapters though, the plot is slow and a bit too drawn out. The main character's mother seems a bit more sick than what the readers knew. The fact that it is in the 1940s makes it doubly more interesting. The main character, Allie, is a times, too annoying to cooperate with. She is stubborn and thinks she knows what is best for her, and these traits were written into her character most of the time easily. Sometimes she would go a bit overboard with her emotions and constantly chooses what she thinks is best. In the second half of the book, most readers might get a bit tired by Allie's refusal of love and Sam's attempts to get her attention. She seems too oblivious to the fact that someone like her can be loved. Sam Carroll was so nice and always happy. Even though at times one might think he would be too happy, there are others who are like that in real life! The ending was sweet and perfect with a touch that is hard to master; Rachel Coker did it perfectly.

-ShewolfLia17

Book Review: Love, Charleston by Beth Webb Hart

Charleston's past is full of romance. Does Anne's future hold the same?

Charleston's Anne Brumley has long dreamed of love while ringing the bells at St. Michael's, but those dreams are beginning to fade. Her sister Alisha and cousin Della encourage the thirty-six year old to move somewhere new for a fresh start.

Widower Roy Summerall has happily ministered to the country folks of Church of the Good Shepherd for years. So why would the Lord call him and his daughter away to Charleston--the city that Roy remembers from his childhood as pretentious and superficial? Surely the refined congregation of St. Michael's won't accept a reverend with a red neck and a simple faith.

Meanwhile, Anne's sister, Alisha, struggles with her husband's ambition, which seems to be taking him further from their dreams of a happy family. And Cousin Della's former fiance has returned to Charleston, making her wonder if she chose the wrong path when she married her gifted but unemployed-artist husband.

Family, friendship, and faith converge in a beautiful story about how God's transforming love works in the Holy City of Charleston. 

My Thoughts...

A story that starts off differently than the back description, the tale of three women take the stage, and learn through their struggles, mistakes, and helping others through patchy ground. This tale rook a look at multiple subjects, but unfortunately readers did not not connect with the characters because of the large time span between events. Thee are two narrators and at times, one might get confused with who is speaking. But the scenes with Roy and Anne were magical in that they had so much in common that they did not need to try to have a firm relationship. Those scenes with them were the highlight of the book whereas some others are not as wel, written and a bit harsh. Loos after loss falls upon a character and at times, seems like too much, and that the author is trying to get across the point that the character is struggling and seemed to have it all together. The scenes would have had much more impact than more drama and grief.

Every reader will be taken on this journey through the well known Charleston, experiencing all three of the women's stories with different thoughts. Love, Charleston is a very light read that may not be deeply impacting, but motivate you to get through exceptionally hard struggles and habits in life.

-ShewolfLia17

Book Review: Garden of Madness by Tracy L. Higley

The untold story of King Nebuchadnezzar's daughter

For seven years the Babylonian princess Tiamat has waited for the mad king Nebuchadnezzar to return to his family and to his kingdom. Driven from his throne to live as a beast, he prowls his luxurious Hanging Gardens, secreted away from the world.

Since her treaty marriage at a young age, Tia has lived an opulent yet oppressive life in the palace. But her husband has since died and she relishes her newfound independence. When a nobleman is found murdered in the palace, Tia must discover who is responsible for the macabre death, even if her own freedom is threatened.

As the queen plans to wed Tia to yet another prince, the powerful mage Shadir plots to expose the family's secret and set his own man on the throne. Tia enlists the help of a reluctant Jewish captive, her late husband's brother Pedaiah, who challenges her notions of the gods even as he opens her heart to both truth and love.

In a time when few gave their hearts to Yahweh, Tia must decide if she is willing to risk everything-her possessions, her gods, and her very life-for the Israelites' one God. Madness, sorcery, and sinister plots mingle like an alchemist's deadly potion as Tia chooses whether to risk all to save the kingdom-and her family.

My Thoughts...

The first sentence of this book hooked me from the very beginning and would not lose it's hold on me until it was done. I could scarcely out it down and kept reading to find out what happened to a very mysterious murder. The main character, Tiamat, was a likeable character even though she had faults such as presuming too much at first glance or judging someone based on their social status. At times this made Tiamat all the more like a princess, and others it seemed that she was just a little bit too immature for her age. I enjoyed her times with Pedaiah, which was unfortunately too few because of their constant bickering and judging. When they got along, you got a sense of a true relationship regardless of the disagreements and faults that they both had. The culprit was thought to have been the enemy but instead, the plot had a couple of twists that were unseen and surprising. 

Garden of Madness incuded historical facts and family lines like the rest of Tracy L. Higley's books. The ending was very satisfying with great characters from the Bible finishing it off with a great message. The Christian elements were very evident in this novel like the others and offered a positive, yet realistic view of humanity and human nature, and God moving in their lives.

-ShewolfLia17

Book Review: Gone With the Wind by Maragret Mitchell

Gone with the Wind is a novel written by Margaret Mitchell, 1st published in 1936. The story is set in Atlanta Georgia during the American Civil War & Reconstruction era. It depicts the experiences of Scarlett O'Hara, the spoiled daughter of a well-to-do plantation owner, who must use every means at her disposal to come out of the poverty she finds herself in after Sherman's March to the Sea. A historical novel, the story is a Bildungsroman or coming-of-age story, with the title taken from a poem written by Ernest Dowson. Gone with the Wind was popular with American readers from the onset & was the top American fiction bestseller in the year it was published & in 1937. As of 2014, a Harris poll found it to be the 2nd favorite book by American readers, just behind the Bible. More than 30 million copies have been printed worldwide. 

My Thoughts...

I hope this paragraph is not as long as the book itself! Many readers refuse to read this novel because of the length (yes, it is 960 pages) or reading about two careless characters who put on such an emotional show. But for the avid readers who push through the lengthy descriptions, the novel turns into a masterpiece and in the end, finishes the painting perfectly. The main character is not a likable person at all, which is hard for an author to do. Scarlett was quite the character, but a character that you will remember for years. Most people will say that the novel is just a soap opera and too feminine for the men. It is a story of not only two lovers, but a tale of war and the folks of Georgia and surrounding areas just trying to survive. It is a tale of so much more than this giant book seems.

Scarlett O'Hara was a character who had her own opinions and goals. Underneath her prissiness, Scarlett had stamina and unknown strength and persistence. She did the things that any reader would yell at her for. Yet, there is a love hate relationship that every reader has for this character. At times, one would sympathize with her or agree with her seldom positive choices. Readers grow attached to Scarlett unlike any other character. Vivien Leigh potrays Scarlett perfectly in the movie and portrays the personality flawlessly. Rhett Butler seems to go hand in hand with Clark Gable. Like Vivien Leigh, Clark Gable in the movie portrays Rhett, and is very much alike this fictional character. Every movie fan knows the most memorable movie line in cinema history that Clark Gable announces in the last scene, and the book is just as memorable. Rhett Butler was the perfect, adventurous, devil like charaacter who comes into Scarlett's life and is not afraid to break the laws. He was one of my favourite characters who had knowledge but mixed it with his opinions, which wer edge finally more risky than society's. Rhett's and Scarlett's relationship makes the reader wonder where it would go and why their relationship was not always stable. Their relationship is probably the most iconic love story next to Romeo and Juliet's. 

The movie adaptation closely resembles the book with a few exceptions and shows readers a deeper picture of some scenes with very memorable actors and actresses. One of the most read classics of all time, Gone With the Wind is definatly a book every reader needs to put on their list!

-ShewolfLia17

Book Review: Endless Night by Agatha Christie

Agatha Christie's genius for detective fiction is unparalleled. Her worldwide popularity is phenomenal, her characters engaging, her plots spellbinding. No one knows the human heart or the dark passions that can stop it better than Agatha Christie. She is truly the one and only Queen of Crime.

Endless Night

Michael Rogers dreams of a rich, beautiful wife and a perfectly designed house. He finds the woman, and they build the house. Then sudden death strikes.

My Thoughts...

This is the first mystery novel that I have read and it is something that was quite different that what I normally read. Since I have never read any other Agatha Christie books before, I do not know if they are the same as this one. Endless Night was not really a mystery, and, rather, became a study on the thoughts of humans. Michael Rigers gave me a funny feeling throughout the book and acted very strangely in a subtle manner. But I always got an impression that this narrator was not reliable because of his options, especially at the end. The couple were realistic and had plenty of depth to them, but they could still gave a reader a queer feeling that you could not trust a single person in the story. Many times I would get a feeling that this might be all a dream or some trick of some sort that the narrator, Rogers, would plan. 

Overall, the story did not impress me in the end with a ending that you would feel tricked, although the clues added up with additional foreshadowings. Maybe this book is different than Agatha Christie's others such as Miss Marple, but this one seems more of an absurd plot.

-ShewolfLia17

Book Review: City of Fire by Tracy L. Higley

Pleasure-seeking Romans find the seaside town of Pompeii the perfect gateway. But when the rich patrician Cato escapes Rome, intent on a life of leisure, he is unprepared for the hostility he encounters. In the same place, but at the opposite end of society, Ariella has disguised herself as a young boy to be sold into a gladiator troupe. Survival is her only ambition.

But evil creeps through the streets of Pompeii, and neither Ariella's secret nor Cato's evasion is immune to it. Political corruption, religious persecution, and family peril threaten to destroy them, even before an ominous mountain in the distance spews its fire.

As Vesuvius churns with deadly intent, Cato and Ariella must bridge their differences to save the lives of those they love--before the fiery ash buries Pompeii, leaving the city lost to the world.

My Thoughts...

What a story about courage, faith, and of course, love! The plot starts right from the first page, describing the Israelites fleeing from the invading Romans, emotions seeping from the very pages. Loss, triumph, doubt, and terror are the strong emotions that the reader experiences in the first few chapters. Following a strong willed and likable character on her journey, readers get a sense of what it was like in Pompeii during that time of sin and the eruption of Mount Vesuvius. Even though the antagonist was clearly identified and was showed as a tyrant who believed in a polytheistic religion, it was still thrilling as the evil character revealed yet another level of his powers over the citizens and those whom he had targeted. 

At times, one would question if there would be any inappropriate scenes because of the vocabulary used. But if any true history fanatic knew anything about Pompeii, it would have been about the evil sins the citizens committed, careless people who did whatever they pleased. The main character, Ariella, was quite the gladiator. She had extreme levels of courage and both physical and mental stamina. She did not seem at all immature like many protagonists many readers encounter, but instead, is very mature for her age. I love how she has trouble trusting anyone, let alone a Roman politician because of the many problems plaguing the characters one after another. This book is not a light read with a spark of casual events but rather a dramatic take of learning to trust after negative experiences and leaning on God instead of holding your ground. The book was well written overall and the character development that takes place is phenomenal. Ariella goes through many good changes throughout the novel which is always fun to look at at the end. Overall, one of the best books I have recently read with a beautiful plot that takes each reader on a winding journey to read about faith and courage like they have never before.       

-ShewolfLia17  

Book Review: The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins

Winning will make you famous. 

Losing means certain death.

The nation of Panem, formed from a post-apocalyptic North America, is a country that consists of a wealthy Capitol region surrounded by 12 poorer districts. Early in its history, a rebellion led by a 13th district against the Capitol resulted in its destruction and the creation of an annual televised event known as the Hunger Games. In punishment, and as a reminder of the power and grace of the Capitol, each district must yield one boy and one girl between the ages of 12 and 18 through a lottery system to participate in the games. The 'tributes' are chosen during the annual Reaping and are forced to fight to the death, leaving only one survivor to claim victory.

When 16-year-old Katniss's young sister, Prim, is selected as District 12's female representative, Katniss volunteers to take her place. She and her male counterpart Peeta, are pitted against bigger, stronger representatives, some of whom have trained for this their whole lives. , she sees it as a death sentence. But Katniss has been close to death before. For her, survival is second nature. 

My Thoughts...

There is a tv show called Hunger Games in Panem. There are twelve districts in Panem. There must be one male tribute and one female tribute from each district to join the Hunger Games. On,y one of them can be the victor which means only that person can be alive.

Katie's replaces her sister's place and join the Hunger Game as the female tribute from district twelve. Katniss is such a brave, smart and obstinate girl. She never gives in to her fate. She resists evil in Panem all the time.

So in the first book of the Hunger Games, we can see Katniss's change. We can see how she becomes stronger and stronger under the evil environment. 


-chocolate