Out of the Transylvania Night by Aura Imbarus

A deftly woven narrative about a young woman's experience of growing up inside Communist Romania, who flees to the US in search of the America dream, and discovers that freedom—in both free and closed societies—is an innovation of self. An epic tale of identity, love, and the indomitable human spirit. To eighteen-year-old Aura Imbarus, Communist dictator Nicolae Ceausescu had turned Romania into a land of zombies as surely as if Count Dracula had sucked its lifeblood. Yet Aura dares to be herself: an optimistic overachiever, heiress to lands confiscated by the regime, and a rebel among the gray-clad, fearful masses. Christmas shopping in 1989, Aura and her parents draw sniper fire as Romania descends into the violence of a revolution that topples one of the most draconian regimes in the Soviet bloc. They hide heirloom jewels and build barricades against five harrowing days of chaos. With a bit of Hungarian mysticism in her blood, astonishingly accurate visions lead Aura into danger as well as a closer connection with the love of her life, handsome and sophisticated Michael Chiorean. Eventually, Aura and Michael marry and flee a homeland still in chaos. With only two pieces of luggage and a powerful dream, they settle in Los Angeles where freedom and sudden wealth challenge their love as powerfully as Communist tyranny. Aura loses her psychic vision. Heirloom jewels are stolen, a fortune is lost, followed by divorce and a death. Reeling at first, Aura and Michael find their way back to each other, this time with joy and the true freedom they discover within. They've paid a high price for their materialistic dreams, but gain a love that is far richer in this deftly written memoir about identity, love and the indomitable human spirit.

One criteria I have for a 5 Star book is that once done reading I continue to think about what I read. Out of the Transylvania Night by Aura Imbarus is definitely a book that I am still thinking about.

Aura's memoir of her life in Romania and subsequent immigration to America is remarkable. I must admit my own knowledge of world events is lacking. A revolution in Romania? In fact give me a blank map and I'd have a hard time correctly identifying just where in the world Romania is. Despite my admitted lack of knowledge on world history and geography this book drew me in and held my interest. A book that had me searching the internet for more information on the author, Romania and Nadia Comaneci.

Aura's story of growing up in Communist Romania is a story of hope and the struggle for freedom. This captivating book details the difficulties encountered by those who legally immigrate to America. From trying to obtain a job to learning how to order a meal at McDonalds, Aura's description of her life as an immigrant was eye opening. Through her pursuit of the American dream Aura loses herself and those that she loves but ultimately through her journey rediscovers her roots, her loves and herself.

Out of the Transylvania Night is the story of overcoming trials, achieving goals, following your heart, remaining true to yourself and finding real happiness. Aura Imbarus show us there is more to living the American Dream than owning a nice car.

Content: A little language in a couple scenes but otherwise a clean read.

Rating: 5 Stars to this very memorable book.

The Old Testament

I finally did it! I read the entire Old Testament. I set the goal to read it all the way through 4.5 years ago. It took me forever and I started and stopped multiple times. Thank goodness for the bookmark I used that let me know where to begin when I started again.

My Journey to Spiritual Restoration by Gurmay Darlington

Darlington had a rough start in life. At three months old, she was poisoned by her 12-year-old cousin. Burned and unable to swallow, she was in intensive care for several months, then discharged with a grim prognosis. But Darlington survived, only to grow up to face sexual abuse, rape, and domestic violence, plus a variety of serious medical conditions-cardiac problems, knee surgery, and the removal of a large and extremely rare tumor. Due to a medical condition, Darlington actually died and was brought back to life and began her spiritual restoration.

With the help of God, the Author and Finisher of her faith, Darlington was able to embrace the experiences that shaped her. Join Darlington on her journey to spiritual restoration, and experience the radiance that is neither electric nor sunlight but the healing light of the Lord.

I reviewed My Journey to Spiritual Restoration thinking it would be something similar to Return From Tomorrow. This was not the case but I still found the story interesting enough to finish.

If the rating could be based on the story alone this book would get a much higher rating. Darlington overcame much in her life and has an amazing story of what the human spirit can endure and conquer. While reading this memoir I was amazed and inspired by the fact that Darlington was able to forgive those who wronged her, continue fighting for herself and her children and ultimately found peace in her life.

The 2 star rating comes from the actual writing & editing.

Content: Nothing describe in graphic detail but Darlington is raped, beaten, abused, cheated on...

Rating: 2 stars.

Being Sixteen by Allyson Condie

Juliet Kendall has been looking forward to her sixteenth birthday for what feels like forever. At first, it seems like being sixteen will be as perfect as she dreamed---she has great friends, a cute almost-boyfriend, a spot on the varsity girls' basketball team, and even a car of her own. But, as the year goes on, she discovers that her sister Carly, is hiding a secret and realizes that, in fact, being sixteen may be her hardest year yet.

Being Sixteen is a coming-of-age story about two sister and their different struggles. It addresses what it means to have a testimony, what it meant to be a friend and a sister, and what's involved in the dealing with and overcoming an eating disorder.

Being Sixteen is well done LDS fiction. This is the first novel by Allyson Braithwaite Condie that I have read and I will definitely give her other books a try. Being Sixteen delves into the dynamics of a less than perfect LDS family who are doing the best they can. A touching story that brought tears to my eyes. Unlike many books in this genre Being Sixteen is not overly cheesy or preachy. A realistic look at some of the challenges an LDS teen faces.

Content: This is a clean read recommended to LDS readers ages 13+.

Rating: 4 Stars

The Gladiator by Carla Capshaw

He won his fame—and his freedom—in the gory pits of Rome's Colosseum. Yet the greatest challenge for once-legendary gladiator Caros Viriathos comes to him through a slave. His slave, the beautiful and mysterious Pelonia Valeria. Her secret brings danger to his household but offers Caros a love like he's never known….

Should anyone learn she is a Christian, Pelonia will be executed. Her faith threatens not only herself, but her master. Can she convince a man who found fame through unforgiving brutality to show mercy? And when she's ultimately given the choice, will Pelonia choose freedom or the love of a gladiator?

I won a copy if this book from goodreads giveaways. I love getting free books especially when the end up being enjoyable reads like this one.

This book is a Love Inspired Historical. For anyone not familiar with the Love Inspired Historials they are Christian romance books and thus contains all the content typical of this genre. They are very clean with Christian faith, doctrine and beliefs interspersed throughout the book. Carla Capshaw did a great job doing this in The Gladiator. Pelonia's faith was woven into the story in such a way that it didn't seem out of place or contrived - some books of this genre really force the "inspirational" aspect to make it fit.

Pelonia is a Christian who is sold as a slave to retired Gladiator Caros. From that you can guess where the story is going. Despite being somewhat predictable this book held my interest throughout and I found myself staying up to finish the story.

For anyone who enjoys a good clean romance with a great storyline this book is for you.

Content: Clean, clean, clean.

Rating: 4 Stars

Beastly by Alex Flinn

I am a beast. A beast. Not quite wolf or bear, gorilla or dog, but a horrible new creature who walks upright – a creature with fangs and claws and hair springing from every pore. I am a monster.

You think I’m talking fairy tales? No way. The place is New York City. The time is now. It’s no deformity, no disease. And I’ll stay this way forever – ruined – unless I can break the spell.

Yes, the spell, the one the witch in my English class cast on me. Why did she turn me into a beast who hides by day and prowls by night? I’ll tell you. I’ll tell you how I used to be Kyle Kingsbury, the guy you wished you were, with money, perfect looks, and a perfect life. And then, I’ll tell you how I became perfectly beastly.

Beastly is a modern-day Beauty & the Beast retelling told from the Beast's perspective. It moved along at a fairly fast pace and held my interest. Beauty & the Beast is one of my favorite fairytales and I enjoy retellings of this story.

Interspersed through the story there is a support "chat" group that the Beast joined with the frog prince, the little mermaid and several other fairy tale characters that I found to be quite humorous.

Alex Flinn did a great job writing this book that shows that ultimately it is what is on the inside that matters most.

Content: This book does contain some language throughout. There is also a few crude sexual references. Age 16+

Rating: 4 Stars - I enjoyed this retelling from the Beast's perspective.

Princess of Glass by Jessica Day George

Hoping to escape the troubles in her kingdom, Princess Poppy reluctantly agrees to take part in a royal exchange program, whereby young princes and princesses travel to each other’s countries in the name of better political alliances—and potential marriages. It’s got the makings of a fairy tale—until a hapless servant named Eleanor is tricked by a vengeful fairy godmother into competing with Poppy for the eligible prince. Ballgowns, cinders, and enchanted glass slippers fly in this romantic and action-packed happily-ever-after quest from an author with a flair for embroidering tales in her own delightful way.

Princess of Glass is a very original retelling of Cinderella. Just the bare basics of the Cinderella story were there: a prince, a ball, soot, a glass slipper, a Godmother. Jessica Day George took those basic elements and created a very unique retelling of Cinderella. 2 princesses, a curse, glass feet, and a witch combined with characters from Day's novel Princess of the Midnight Ball made this a darker version of the classic Cinderella story.

Although the ultimate outcome was predictable there were lots of twists and turns along the way. For me the ending wrapped up way too quickly leaving me feeling a little cheated.

Content: This is a clean read with nothing objectionable.

Rating: 4 Stars - I debated between giving this 3.5 or 4 stars but decided to go with 4 stars for originality. It was a good book, but not quite as good as Princess of the Midnight Ball.

Sudden Storms by Marcia Lynn McClure

Rivers Brighton was a wanderer-having nothing and belonging to no one. Still, by chance, Rivers found herself harboring for a time beneath the roof of the kind-hearted Jolee Gray, and her remarkably attractive, yet ever grumbling brother, Paxton. Jolee, had taken Rivers in, and Rivers had stayed.

Helplessly drawn to Paxton's alluring presence and unable to escape his astonishing hold over her, however, Rivers knew she was in danger of enduring great heartbreak and pain. Paxton appeared to find Rivers no more interesting than a brief cloudburst. Yet, the man's spirit seemed to tether some great and devastating storm-a powerful tempest bridled within, waiting for the moment when it could rage full and free, perhaps destroying everything and everyone in its wake-particularly Rivers.

Could Rivers capture Paxton's attention long enough to make his heart her own? Or would the storm brewing within him destroy her hopes and dreams of belonging to the only man she had ever loved?

Anyone who has followed what I read knows that I have a weakness for Marcia Lynn McClure. I love clean romances that make me smile and Marcia's books fit the bill perfectly. Sudden Storms is a really quick, fun read - I started this book when my kid's friends came over for a late night and by the time everyone had headed home and settled down I had finished the book. A perfect book to read in one sitting. Marcia Lynn McClure's books make me laugh out loud, and leave me grinning and Sudden Storms was no exception.

Content: This is a clean read with nothing more than kissing.

Rating: As with all of Marcia's books this one gets 5 stars from me.

Winter Garden by Kristin Hannah

From the author of the smash-hit bestseller Firefly Lane and True Colors comes a powerful, heartbreaking novel that illuminates the intricate mother-daughter bond and explores the enduring links between the present and the past.

Meredith and Nina Whitson are as different as sisters can be. One stayed at home to raise her children and manage the family apple orchard: the other followed a dream and traveled the world to become a famous photojournalist. But when their beloved father falls ill, Meredith and Nina find themselves together again, standing alongside their cold, disapproving mother, Anya, who even now, offers no comfort to her daughters. As children, the only connection between them was the Russian fairy tale Anya sometimes told the girls at night. On his deathbed, their father extracts a promise from the women in his life: the fairy tale will be told one last time - and all the way to the end. Thus begins an unexpected journey into the truth of Anya's life in war-torn Leningrad, more than five decades ago. Alternating between the past and present, Meredith and Nina will finally hear the singular, harrowing story of their mother's life, and what they learn is a secret so terrible and terrifying that it will shake the very foundation of their family and change who they believe they are.

Winter Garden by Kristin Hannah is a great mix of contemporary and historical fiction. Well written and very interesting to me. I enjoyed the fairy tale style that was used to tell the mother's story. Lots of emotion in this book. A great family drama with great characters who ultimately learn to overcome the obstacles life threw at them.

It did wrap up a little too quickly and a little too neatly but overall a good book.

Content: This is an adult book. Quite a bit of language throughout including about a half dozen uses of the F word. Also there is some sexual content between 2 unmarried individuals. Most of it is not graphic but it was a little more than I like to read in a book.

Rating: 4 solid 4 star book.

The Visions of Ransom Lake by Marcia Lynn McClure

Youthful beauty, naïve innocence, a romantic imagination thirsting for adventure-an apt description of Vaden Valmont, who would soon find the adventure and mystery she had always longed to experience-in the form of a man. A somber recluse, Ransom Lake descended from his solitary concealment in the mountains, wholly disinterested in people and their trivial affairs. And somehow, young Vaden managed to be ever in his way-either by accident or because of her own unique ability to stumble into a quandary. Yet the enigmatic Ransom Lake would involuntarily become Vaden's unwitting tutor. Through him, she would experience joy and passion the like even Vaden had never imagined. Yes, Vaden Valmont stepped innocently, yet irrevocably, into love with the secretive, seemingly callous man-Ransom Lake. But there were other life's lessons Ransom Lake would inadvertently convey to her as well. The darker side of life-despair, guilt, heartache. Would Ransom Lake be the means of Vaden's dreams come true? Or the cause of her complete desolation?

The Visions of Ransom Lake is one of Marcia Lynn McClure's best! I couldn't put this one down and had to finish despite being exhausted and sitting on a freezing cold tile floor in a cold hallway reading by the light from a bathroom. (There was no where else to read because every other room had someone trying to sleep.) Full of everything I've come to expect in one of McClure's novels: fabulous characters, humor, romance, lots of kissing but nothing more... Great book!

There is just something about the ways Marcia writes that just draws me in and makes me smile.

And the title...what a great title for this book.

So good I read it again!

Content: Like all of Marcia's book this is clean read.

Rating: 5 Stars. I loved it!

The Dark Divine by Bree Despain

A Prodigal Son

A Dangerous Love

A Deadly Secret

Grace Divine—daughter of the local pastor—always knew something terrible happened the night Daniel Kalbi disappeared and her brother Jude came home covered in his own blood.

Now that Daniel's returned, Grace must choose between her growing attraction to him and her loyalty to her brother.

As Grace gets closer to Daniel, she learns the truth about that mysterious night and how to save the ones she loves, but it might cost her the one thing she cherishes most: her soul.

I've read a lot of werewolf paranormal romance this summer. The Dark Divine by Bree Despain is a great addition to the genre. Well developed characters and an interesting werewolf mythology make this a very entertaining fast paced book. If you enjoy paranormal romance I suggest you give this one a try.

I'm looking forward to the sequel The Lost Saint which gets released at the end of the year.

Content: Just a few mild swear words scattered throughout, other than that it is a clean read.

Rating: 4.5 Stars. One of the better werewolf books that has been released lately.

13 to Life by Shannon Delany

Something strange is stalking the small town of Junction…

When junior Jess Gillmansen gets called out of class by Guidance, she can only presume it’s for one of two reasons. Either they’ve finally figured out who wrote the scathing anti-jock editorial in the school newspaper or they’re hosting yet another intervention for her about her mom. Although far from expecting it, she’s relieved to discover Guidance just wants her to show a new student around—but he comes with issues of his own including a police escort.

The newest member of Junction High, Pietr Rusakova has secrets to hide--secrets that will bring big trouble to the small town of Junction—secrets including dramatic changes he’s undergoing that will surely end his life early.

After reading a book like 13 to Life I have to ask myself why do I start reading a series as the first book comes out. I keep telling myself to just wait until I can read the entire series. Someday maybe I'll learn! This book set up a intriguing story line then left us hanging at the end.

13 to Life is a debut novel for Shannon Delany. This novel is 300 pages of setting the stage for what I hope will be a great werewolf series. It moved along at a fairly fast pace but gave us lots of details and interactions between the characters in the story. We don't even get to really see any werewolves or learn a whole lot about them until the end of the book.

I'm looking forward to the 2nd book in the series and am grateful it's only 8 months between the release of this book and its sequel Secrets and Shadows. At least the publishers are not making us wait the normal year between books in a series.

Content: There is mild language throughout the book and a few instances of stronger language. The F word isn't actually used but there are a couple times where the person stops short of saying it. What the f___.

Rating: 4 Stars

The Grip of the Shadow Plague by Brandon Mull

Kendra and Seth along with Grandpa and Grandma Sorenson discover that someone or something has released a plague that is turning the light creatures of Fablehaven into creatures of darkness. And for the first time, Kendra and Warren must visit another magical preserve called Lost Mesa in Arizona and try to recovery another hidden artifact. Can the plague be stopped? Can the artifact be found? And most importantly, is the Sphinx a traitor?

My children adore the Fablehaven series. I'm not sure how many times they have listened to these books. We seem to always have one title or another checked out and I'm constantly trying to track down missing CDs that are due back at the library. From all that listening they've done I've heard bits and pieces of the series but never listen to the entire thing. Glad I'm finally making the effort because this is a fabulous series.

I really am impressed with this series by Brandon Mull. The writing seems better with each book and the story has sucked me in. Looking forward to reading the last 2 books in the series. The Grip of the Shadow Plague is a great fantasy book filled with lots of mythical creatures, lots of adventure & mystery and characters I just can't help liking.

Content: This is a clean read. My 8, 10 & 12 year olds all love this series.

Rating: 4.5 Stars

City of Angels by Sheralyn Pratt

Rhea Jensen is your typical twenty-something single girl if by typical you mean a private investigator who studies ways to escape from handcuffs while waiting to take down another serial sleaze. But when a seemingly open-and-closed embezzlement case goes awry, her on-again-off-again boyfriend starts fooling around behind her back, and some Mormon missionaries stop her on the street during a stakeout, Rhea realizes her life is anything but typical even by her standards. This exciting first installment of the Rhea Jensen series by Sheralyn Pratt boasts a fair bit of suspense, just enough romance, and a whole lot of heart. City of Angels is a great read for the amateur detective in all of us.

Wow! City of Angels by Sheralyn Pratt was a surprise, it was such a good book. Seriously, I loved this book. I was drawn in from the first chapter and despite having other things on my to do list finished in less than 24 hours.

This book is fun. It's LDS fiction at its best. Not preachy, not cheesy, a great storyline, awesome characters. Action, mystery and a little romance make this story of private investigator Rhea Jensen fast paced and completely enjoyable.

I'll most definitely be reading the rest of the series and anything else Sheralyn Pratt writes.


Content: This is a clean read for an adult. Rhea isn't a Mormon so there is talk of drinking and sleeping around but nothing graphic. There is one bedroom scene but it stops abruptly with the realization that it would be a big mistake.

Rating: 5 Stars - As good as LDS fiction gets.

Rebound by Heather Justesen

Lily's life is perfect--a perfect lie.

With a successful husband, a gorgeous home, and a growing family, Lily Drake has it all. But when the FBI shows up, she realizes her husband is not the man she thought he was.

Meanwhile, Lily's friend Curtis is about to be drafted by the NBA, but he suddenly feels pulled to find his birth family, and no one is prepared for what he'll discover. With so many obstacles in their way, Lily and Curtis must learn to rely on each other if they're ever going to find peace and learn to love again.

In this heartwarming family drama, Heather Justesen, author of The Ball's in Her Court, weaves a stirring story of hope. Reunite with your favorite characters and discover how determination, love, and faith can overcome even the toughest trials.

A great second novel by Heather Justesen. Rebound is a delightful sequel to her debut novel The Ball's in Her Court which was released last year.

Like most LDS fiction this book is completely predictable. From the summary it was easy to guess how the story would go - but I still enjoyed it. Heather is a promising new author who writes a great story. The main characters are likable and you find yourself rooting for them while the vindictive "villains" of the story are so loathsome that you hope they'll get what's coming to them.

If you enjoy LDS fiction I highly recommend Heather's books to you. They are engaging, entertaining and enjoyable.

Content: This is a clean read.

Rating: 4 Stars - This is good LDS fiction.

No, David! by David Shannon

When author and artist David Shannon was five years old, he wrote a semi-autobiographical story of a little kid who broke all his mother's rules. He chewed with his mouth open (and full of food), he jumped on the furniture, and he broke his mother's vase! As a result, all David ever heard his mother say was "No, David!" Here is his story.

No, David! by David Shannon is one of those books that you will either absolutely love or you will hate it.

Here at our house we LOVE it!

My copy of this book is literally falling apart because it has been read so many times. My kids love all the David books by David Shannon. This is one book I don't mind reading over and over again. It is also one of the first books my children "read" on their own.

Big headed, skinny legged, pointy toothed David is always getting into something. No, David! has minimal text but combined with the crazy drawings this book is hilarious. Perhaps I can just relate to this book since at one time or another one of my children has done everything David does in this book.

Have you read any of the David books? Which camp do you fall into? Love them or hate them?

The Boy Who Could Fly by James Norcliffe

A young boy lives in an orphanage that is completely surrounded by a thick wall. Every day, he wishes he were free. He wishes he had a new life. And then he meets the loblolly boy, who is strange, mysterious and who promises the young boy that he can teach him how to fly - as he himself can, with his green, feathery wings. In teaching the boy how to fly, however, the loblolly boy has made an Exchange--he switches place with the orphan. Now the young boy is free and the loblolly boy is "real." The young boy rejoices in his freedom until he realizes the price he has paid and soon sets out to make his own Exchange - but at what cost?

The Boy Who Could Fly by James Norcliffe was previously published in New Zealand under the title The Loblolly Boy.

This is a bizarre book. It took me a while to get into the story but I'm glad I kept reading.

Who as a child didn't have dreams of being able to fly away from all their troubles? This is a story that shows us that the grass isn't always greener on the other side.

There were some wonderful quotes in this book:

Folks often forget that when they are desperate to escape from something they have to escape into something.

Content: Nearly a clean read just a couple of instances of very mild language.

Rating 3.5 Stars. A very quick read that I ended up enjoying enough to be glad I read it.

Pickle-Chiffon Pie by Jolly Roger Bradfield

For those of you who have never experienced Pickle-Chiffon Pie, here is the recipe:
2 cups imagination
2 teaspoons humor
Exciting illustrations, one per page
At least one dragon
2 tablespoons silliness
Combine: 1 beautiful princess with 1 hero, well seasoned
A pinch of moral value
Mix together in a lively plot

Pickle-Chiffon Pie is a story without a villain. No fighting, no bloodshed, but still exciting and fast-moving. It is a tale that stretches the imagination: the reader must accept a juggling lion (six cans of root beer at once!) and a sixteen-foot Gazoo. Not a hard assignment for a child, but perhaps a bit more difficult for a wordly grown-up.

Take heart, you staid elders. The story has elements running throughout that should appeal to adults as well as children (how 'bout mice that paint in the fashion of Picasso, Matisse, Grant Wood and even Toulouse Lautrec?) because the author knew that if a story IS A REALLY GOOD ONE, parents everywhere would be commanded by their children to read it aloud again and again. And maybe even once more...

How could I never had read this enchanting picture book? Pickle-Chiffon Pie by Jolly Roger Bradfield is filled with unique colorful illustrations and a delightful tale this book is sure to please young children and their parents.

Originally released in 1967, by the end of the 1990s copies of this out of print book were selling for $80 to $100 on ebay. It has since be rereleased.

Pickle-Chiffon Pie was a little longer than many of the read-alouds I read to my 4 year old but she sat, listened to and enjoyed this book. If you've never read this classic book do yourself a favor and go pick up a copy.

Rating: 4.5 Stars

Beautiful Creatures by Kami Garcia and Margaret Stohl

Lena Duchannes is unlike anyone the small Southern town of Gatlin has ever seen, and she’s struggling to conceal her power and a curse that has haunted her family for generations. But even within the overgrown gardens, murky swamps, and crumbling graveyards of the forgotten South, a secret cannot stay hidden forever.

Ethan Wate, who has been counting the months until he can escape from Gatlin, is haunted by dreams of a beautiful girl he has never met. When Lena moves into the town’s oldest and most infamous plantation, Ethan is inexplicably drawn to her and determined to uncover the connection between them.

In a town with no surprises, one secret could change everything.

I ended up really liking Beautiful Creatures by Kami Garcia & Margaret Stohl. It seemed to take me forever to get into this story. I was half way through before I got hooked and then I didn't want to put it down - thus I was up until 3 am finishing.

This book has fantasy, romance and some history woven together to create a unique plot and mythology. I liked having a book written from the male perspective for a change since most in this genre are written from the female perspective.

"Mortals. I envy you. You think you can change things. Stop the universe. Undo what was done long before you came along. You are such beautiful creatures."

I'll definitely read the sequel Beautiful Darkness when it comes out in October.

Content: There is mild language throughout the book and some innuendo but nothing graphic. Since it's paranormal there is talk of light and dark Casters, cursings, spells, claimings, etc. Although I can't classify this as a clean read it a book I would let a 16+ year old read.

Rating: Despite the slow beginning I was hooked by the end so 4 Stars.

The Prometheus Project: Captured by Douglas E. Richards

Included in The California Department of Education’s Recommended Literature for Science and Math and in Missouri State University’s Best New Books to Engage Students in Math and Science This fast-paced, science fiction adventure is a stand-alone sequel to The Prometheus Project: Trapped. Along with their scientist parents, the brother-sister duo of Ryan and Regan continue their exploration of a fantastic alien city built deep underground. When the city is captured by a ruthless alien—with unknown capabilities and diabolical plans—and his band of mercenaries, the adult members of the team are taken hostage, and the siblings remain the team’s only hope. To save the adults, Ryan and Regan must outwit the brilliant alien and his well-trained force, free the prisoners, and thwart a seemingly unstoppable invasion. Crammed with cliffhangers, nonstop action, and unexpected twists and turns, this novel introduces scientific topics—sound and hearing, ultrasonic sound, experimental methodologies, flashpowder, human memory, and superconductivity—to children while engaging their imaginations.

I received The Prometheus Project: Trapped and it's sequel Captured directly from author Douglas E. Richards. I read Trapped about a month ago and just finished Captured last night.

Although Captured is the second book of The Prometheus Project series it can easily be read as a stand alone. Aimed at middle aged reader from the ages 8-12, this is the perfect book for children who are interested in Science and like Science Fiction. The children in this book use their brain instead of their brawn. They analyze, ask questions, make connections and reason things out to solve the problems they face.

Captured held my interest throughout. It is a faced paced read that was both entertaining and fun to read. Filled with action and adventure this book is sure to delight readers whether young or old.

Content: This is a clean read with nothing objectionable.

Rating: 4 Stars this is a great book for middle aged readers.

The Dot by Peter H. Reynolds

Her teacher smiled. "Just make a mark and see where it takes you."

Art class is over, but Vashti is sitting glued to her chair in front of a blank piece of paper. The words of her teacher are a gentle invitation to express herself. But Vashti can’t draw - she’s no artist. To prove her point, Vashti jabs at a blank sheet of paper to make an unremarkable and angry mark. "There!" she says.

That one little dot marks the beginning of Vashti’s journey of surprise and self-discovery. That special moment is the core of Peter H. Reynolds’s delicate fable about the creative spirit in all of us.


Simple cartoon like drawing fill the pages of this book. As someone who struggles with creativity and artistic endeavors I found Peter H. Reynold's children's picture book The Dot inspiring. Perfect for an art class, an insecure child or a child struggling in any area of their life. Within the few pages of this book we see Vashti transformed from a discouraged student to budding artist by the simple act of an inspired teacher. Eventually Vashti's success allows her to motivate another child to create his own art.

Next time I walk into my office to find it strewn with art supplies I'd do well to remember this book and encourage my children's artistic endeavors instead of being frustrated that once again my floor is littered with scraps of papers, crayons and glue.

Rating: 4.5 Stars

Kiss In The Dark by Marcia Lynn McClure

“Boston,” he said. The commanding sound of his voice caused Boston to cease in her prattling and look to him.
“What?” she asked, somewhat grateful he’d interrupted her panic attack.
He frowned and shook his head.
“Shut up,” he said. “You’re all worked up about nothing.” He reached out, slipping one hand beneath her hair to the back of her neck.
Boston was so startled by his touch, she couldn’t speak—she could only stare up into his mesmerizing green eyes. His hand was strong and warm, powerful and reassuring.
“If it freaks you out so much…just kiss in the dark,” he said.
Boston watched as Vance put the heel of his free hand to the light switch. In an instant the room went black.

Kiss in the Dark is one of Marcia Lynn McClure contemporary novels. Currently available only as a 140 page ebook that can be download from her site.

Another great book book by Marcia. She is currently my favorite author. Her books are my guilty secret with no guilt!

I love that her books make me laugh out loud, giggle, sigh and never fail to leave me with a smile on my face when I'm done.

I love when Marcia has author notes at the end.

In the end, I just hope you enjoyed the story! I hope it entertained you, made you laugh—that your day was just a little less stress-filled because of it. Secretly, I’m hoping I have the desire and energy to lengthen Kiss in the Dark into a novel one day—because, personally, I’m dying to know what favor Vance asked of Boston when he cashed in his I.O.U.

I do hope she expands this book as was mentioned in her author's note because I want to know about the I.O.U.!

Ah the memories this book brought back, how could I have forgotten the fun of playing kissing rugby?

I love the old fashioned values in her books and that her characters are good people.

Content: Marcia's book are all clean romances. She writes some very passionate kissing scenes but that is all. Ages 16+.

Rating: As I said above Marcia's books are my guilty pleasure minus the guilt. 5 Stars.

Wild Orchid by Cameron Dokey

Wielding a sword as deftly as an embroidery needle, Mulan is unlike any other girl in China. When the emperor summons a great army, each family must send a male to fight. Tomboyish Mulan is determined to spare her aging father and bring her family honor, so she disguises herself and answers the call. But Mulan never expects to find a friend, let alone a soul mate, in the commander of her division, Prince Jian. For all of Mulan's courage with a bow and arrow, is she brave enough to share her true identity and feelings with Prince Jian?

When Disney's Mulan came out years ago I thought it was an original story. Little did I know that it was based on a Chinese legend from the Poem called Ballad of Mulan. Wild Orchid by Cameron Dokey is the first story I have ever read about Mulan. Since it was new to me it held my attention throughout. The entire first half of the story takes place before Mulan answers the summons to fight and I appreciated getting to know Mulan prior to her leaving for battle.

I admit while reading Wild Orchid I kept hearing Donny Osmond singing "I'll Make a Man Out of You". While not technically a fairytale this story would be enjoyed by those who like fairytale retellings.

Content: This is a clean read with no objectionable content. Catergorized as young adult is is appropriate for ages 10+.

Rating: 4 Stars to this Once Upon A Time tale.

Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry by Mildred Taylor

In all Mildred D. Taylor's unforgettable novels she recounts "not only the joy of growing up in a large and supportive family, but my own feelings of being faced with segregation and bigotry." Her Newbery Medal-winning Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry tells the story of one African American family, fighting to stay together and strong in the face of brutal racist attacks, illness, poverty, and betrayal in the Deep South of the 1930s. Nine-year-old Cassie Logan, growing up protected by her loving family, has never had reason to suspect that any white person could consider her inferior or wish her harm. But during the course of one devastating year when her community begins to be ripped apart by angry night riders threatening African Americans, she and her three brothers come to understand why the land they own means so much to their Papa. "Look out there, Cassie girl. All that belongs to you. You ain't never had to live on nobody's place but your own and long as I live and the family survives, you'll never have to. That's important. You may not understand that now but one day you will. Then you'll see."

This is great historical fiction. I doubt I would have liked it as a child but as an adult I really enjoyed this story. If you enjoy historical fiction I suggest you give this book a try. It is based on the author's family and the stories that were told her by her father and grandfather of their life growing up as African Americans. This book deals with racism and all the complexity involved in the subject matter.

Content: I considered this a clean read. Terms like nigger are used and there is some violence depicted but as the author's note said there is nothing politically correct about racism and she's telling it like is was.

Rating: 4 Stars. A great historical fiction novel well worth the time to read.

Out of the Dust by Karen Hesse

Like the Oklahoma dust bowl from which she came, 14-year-old narrator Billie Jo writes in sparse, free-floating verse. In this compelling, immediate journal, Billie Jo reveals the grim domestic realities of living during the years of constant dust storms: That hopes--like the crops--blow away in the night like skittering tumbleweeds. That trucks, tractors, even Billie Jo's beloved piano, can suddenly be buried beneath drifts of dust. Perhaps swallowing all that grit is what gives Billie Jo--our strong, endearing, rough-cut heroine--the stoic courage to face the death of her mother after a hideous accident that also leaves her piano-playing hands in pain and permanently scarred.

Meanwhile, Billie Jo's silent, windblown father is literally decaying with grief and skin cancer before her very eyes. When she decides to flee the lingering ghosts and dust of her homestead and jump a train west, she discovers a simple but profound truth about herself and her plight. There are no tight, sentimental endings here--just a steady ember of hope that brightens Karen Hesse's exquisitely written and mournful tale. Hesse won the 1998 Newbery Award for this elegantly crafted, gut-wrenching novel.


What a depressing story. Out of the Dust by Karen Hesse makes me grateful for the life I live. Set in the Oklahoma dust bowl it's one trial after another for Billie Jo and her family as they try to survive in terrible times. This is the kind of book that if I had been forced to read in school I would have hated. However as an adult reading it now I can appreciate it. It's fairly short and worth the time to read.

Content: Clean read, ages 10+

Rating 3.5 stars simply because it's so depressing to read. It does end on an optimistic note.

The Physick Book of Deliverance Dane by Katherine Howe

A spellbinding, beautifully written novel that moves between contemporary times and one of the most fascinating and disturbing periods in American history-the Salem witch trials.

Harvard graduate student Connie Goodwin needs to spend her summer doing research for her doctoral dissertation. But when her mother asks her to handle the sale of Connie's grandmother's abandoned home near Salem, she can't refuse. As she is drawn deeper into the mysteries of the family house, Connie discovers an ancient key within a seventeenth-century Bible. The key contains a yellowing fragment of parchment with a name written upon it: Deliverance Dane. This discovery launches Connie on a quest--to find out who this woman was and to unearth a rare artifact of singular power: a physick book, its pages a secret repository for lost knowledge.

As the pieces of Deliverance's harrowing story begin to fall into place, Connie is haunted by visions of the long-ago witch trials, and she begins to fear that she is more tied to Salem's dark past then she could have ever imagined.

Written with astonishing conviction and grace, The Physick Book of Deliverance Dane travels seamlessly between the witch trials of the 1690s and a modern woman's story of mystery, intrigue, and revelation.

I ended up really enjoying The Physick Book of Deliverance Dane. It's a mix of modern day & historical fiction centered around the Salem Witch Trials. The book kept my interest throughout and I liked the author's note at the end describing what was historically accurate in the book. For a first book I think Katherine Howe did a great job. If she writes another book I would definitely read it.

Content: This was almost a clean read. There was just a handful of mild language scattered throughout. There is nothing graphic but it is implied that Connie slept with her boyfriend. He stays the night and they wake up in bed together, but no details. Witchcraft & occult practices are discussed and the charms & curses are real in this book. This didn't bother me but may bother some.

Rating: 4 Stars. Although there are a few flaws in the plot that could be criticized, I was ablet to overlook them and thought this was a very enjoyable read.