Review: The Christmas Wedding

The Christmas Wedding by James Patterson

My rating: 3 of 5 stars



I found this on the bestseller's list and was surprised to see the style was completely un-James Patterson-ish. Apparently he writes in more than one genre and I had never realized it. This book is designed to be a feel-good story about a family and the bonds they share.

The odd thing about this book is that it's the second story I've read that featured a woman with multiple boyfriends all willing to wait for her to decide who to marry. It was completely unbelievable the other time and even more unlikely in this one. I can't grasp the concept of wanting to marry someone that can't decide if they really love you. In this case, the three men (all friends) are all content to wait until the wedding day to find out who she chooses.

Few issues here. First, really?!?! Second, how is this even possible? People are going to spend Christmas watching someone get married and give up their own holidays? Third, what about family? Sure, HER family is gathered but what of the men? Do they invite everyone just in case they are going to be the groom and then deal with the embarrassment of all those guests watching them be rejected? Fourth, logistics. What about licenses? And what minister would agree to a wedding to an unknown groom?

You might be wondering how this could be a 3 star book. I'll be honest...it is a 1 star book improved by excellent supporting characters. I liked the children enough to bump this up to a 2 1/2, which I rounded to three.



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Review: Just Add Water: Recipes, Storage, Preparation: How to Use Dehydrated Foods and TVP

Just Add Water: Recipes, Storage, Preparation: How to Use Dehydrated Foods and TVP by Barbara Salsbury

My rating: 3 of 5 stars



I actually read this in paperback format but it's not an option here.

Not a bad book but much smaller than I expected. There are other books that have more information and more recipes but this would work as a quick reference.



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Review: The Maze

The Maze by Catherine Coulter

My rating: 2 of 5 stars



I enjoy reading about FBI investigations but this one fell short for me. Dillon Savich is interesting and I would read another book with him, so perhaps I need to go backwards and read The Cove. Lacey Sherlock, however, is maddening. I quit reading the book when I reached the point I couldn't stand her anymore. Dedicating 7 years of your life and going insane (at least in my opinion) with anger, then participating in an FBI manhunt in which you are personally involved? No. Not going to happen.

I didn't finish the book.



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Review: Theodosia and the Serpents of Chaos

Theodosia and the Serpents of Chaos by R.L. LaFevers

My rating: 4 of 5 stars



Intelligent girl with an innate skill that allows her to see curses goes on an adventure. Good storyline and will be a good series for my daughter in another year or two. The adventures are exciting but not truly dangerous. The plot has enough detail to keep young readers' attention.



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Review: Cookin' with Home Storage

Cookin' with Home Storage by Peggy Layton

My rating: 4 of 5 stars



This cookbook is definitely designed for people that have pantries filled with 10 pound cans of dried ingredients. Since I happen to be that type of person, I was thrilled with the book. Definitely a good one to have on hand if you are new to preparedness and want to make sure you can use those supplies you are ordering.



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Review: Heaven's Fury: A Novel

Heaven's Fury: A Novel by Stephen W. Frey

My rating: 1 of 5 stars



Surely there is a diligent, hard-working, intelligent, well-liked, honest police officers in the world. I truly believe this. Why is it that no author has ever met or imagined these people?

This is yet another book that focuses on a policeman that has nothing going for him and if living a life he doesn't like with a wife he doesn't love.

And then we have the expected plot. Guess what happens...yes, a crime occurs that he should be a suspect in but instead of being investigated or stepping aside, he will use his anger and fury to hunt down the criminal and clear his name. *yawn* I think I've read this book several times, just with different cities and different names. Once I realized that, I put the book down. This is a Did Not Finish in my library.



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Review: Sisterhood Everlasting

Sisterhood Everlasting by Ann Brashares

My rating: 1 of 5 stars



Oh dear God. Can any four women on earth truly be so extremely dysfunctional? First, the woman who can plan out the future in dated letters and guilt-driven expectations. Then the woman that is afraid to commit to a plant and has no issue sleeping on park benches and walking across a state. Third is unable to participate in a real conversation with anyone outside her circle of 8 people and has actually paid someone $16 an hour to talk to her. Rounding out the group is a woman making herself disappear in order to appear to be more.

I tried to like this book. I forced myself through page after page of repetitive drivel. After finishing about 60% of the book I decided that enough was enough. I put it down and I will never, ever, never read another Sisterhood book.



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Review: Stealing Heaven

Stealing Heaven by Elizabeth Scott

My rating: 3 of 5 stars



I like the beginning of the book. I liked middle of the book, even though it dragged on for a few dozen pages too many. I didn't like the end of the book. I'm happy for Dani's fresh start but can't see a mother that is so blinded by a broken heart that she can't see past her lifestyle enough to be able to give her daughter some semblance of a normal life. The more I read, the more I disliked her. And the ending for Mom? Disappointing.



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Review: The Affinity Bridge

The Affinity Bridge by George Mann

My rating: 3 of 5 stars



I think I'm done with the steampunk genre. I like the look of the clothes and accessories and the idea of a technologically different history...but I just can't seem to appreciate the books. I can accept the automata. I can even accept Victorian mannerisms. But a queen on life support? A mad scientist that no one else sees through? A glow in the dark killer? Zombies that some people are immune to? Airships that fly barely higher than trees? I simply couldn't read this book without rolling my eyes and putting it down for awhile. I managed to finish it and I do like enough of it to give it 3 stars...but barely.



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Review: Emergency Food Storage & Survival Handbook: Everything You Need to Know to Keep Your Family Safe in a Crisis

Emergency Food Storage & Survival Handbook: Everything You Need to Know to Keep Your Family Safe in a Crisis by Peggy Layton

My rating: 3 of 5 stars



I am beginning to think that Peggy Layton is the highest authority on books about food sotrage and preparedness - it seems that she authored every other book I find on the topic! I don't know who you are, Ms. Layton, but kudos to you.

I would like to see an updated version of this book as I agree with another reviewer that the information isn't always up to date.

I've taken awhile to review this book because I wasn't sure how to describe it but it finally dawned on me. If you were going to have an intro level course on preparedness, this would be a good book to use as a textbook. I wouldn't recommend using it alone but it hits all of the main points in a way that provides a general overview of the topics. It's reader-friendly, easy to follow and wouldn't intimidate those that are very new to the idea of preparedness.



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Review: Food Security for the Faint of Heart

Food Security for the Faint of Heart by Robin Wheeler

My rating: 3 of 5 stars



Good book but poorly named - this book is definitely NOT for the faint of heart. It is well written for the planner types that are willing to put in hard work and time toward growing and preserving their own food. If you already garden, this would be a fabulous resource for learning to preserve the fruits (or vegetables?) of your labor. I'm not that person but I am interested in food preservation so it was still an informative read.



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Review: Pantry Cooking

Pantry Cooking by Laura Robins

My rating: 5 of 5 stars



I am slowly filling my pantry in an attempt to keep more food on hand and available. In doing so, I have debated the merits of the bulk purchasing of some products in a dehydrated form. The only thing that has stopped me was the difficulty in finding a single resource that was filled with recipes for the dehydrated ingredients. I finally found it in this book, only to be disappointed that I can't find a copy to purchase.

The book is written with no filler text and no wasted words. When you read the introduction, it reads like a bulleted list of details that has been transformed into paragraphs only by deleting the bullets. I have no issue with that but it was unusual.

The book is built around a 5 week eating plan and has 3 meals a day for each of those 5 weeks. They aren't gourmet or wildly unique but in the case of an emergency, they would suffice. I also liked that her suggested food list for 1 year's storage was basic. So often, writers have made multi-page detailed lists that specify even the cans of asparagus to store. You calculate servings, remove the item, find another item to add the servings to then try to buy it and wonder what you are missing - but this book is simplified and she lets you divide it as you would. For instance, she doesn't care how you divide rice and pasta, just that you have 400 pounds of that food category. I really appreciated that.



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Review: Those Across the River

Those Across the River by Christopher Buehlman

My rating: 1 of 5 stars



Do you ever read a book, have a firm and definite opinion on the book, then log on to goodreads and realize that your opinion is completely opposite of the majority? I am telling myself that the other reviewers must have been paid or rewarded in some way because this was not a good book.

It was slow. Painfully slow. I skimmed through entire pages of the book in hopes that it would improve but it did not. Eventually, I decided to skim through the entire book in hopes that the beginning would become relevant at some point. Once that happened, I almost put the book down since my curiosity was satisfied. I finished it just because it was close enough that I could finish the book quickly. I don't like to say this about books but I can't find a single positive to add to this review.



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Review: Working 5 to 9

Working 5 to 9 by Emma Jones

My rating: 3 of 5 stars



Neat idea and good inspiration for people looking for a second job or planning to operate a personal business as a primary job. I was shocked to realize that I actually knew one of the people in the book - I had no idea that her business had become so successful and was thrilled to read about her success! Interesting reading.



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Review: How to Survive the End of the World As We Know It

How to Survive the End of the World As We Know It by James Wesley Rawles

My rating: 4 of 5 stars



If you are wealthy, worried and willing to live in the middle of nowhere, this book is a perfect guide for setting up a safe home. We're talking SAFE. Natural disasters, terrorist activities, martial law - you name it and Rawles can get you ready to face it. Now, the average person (like me!) will have no way to accomplish 80% of the ideas put forth in this book. The good news is that the remaining 20% is still useful enough that I'm planning to add a copy to preparedness stash. And, if am ever in a position to do more, I'll have the guide book ready!

My only disappointment in the book was the charitable aspect of the writer's plans. I realize I sound like a horrible human being for criticizing those that would do good and help others and give willingly of themselves for the benefit of others...but really? In a disaster I can't imagine giving away a single thing that could possibly be needed to sustain my own family. It gave a sense of unbelievability to a book that was rock solid.



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Review: 102 Projects for Craft Shows and Bazaars

102 Projects for Craft Shows and Bazaars by Pat Olson and Kristin Olson - Johnson

My rating: 3 of 5 stars



While the projects aren't my style they are definitely marketable as I see similar designs at craft shows and see the good response the sellers are getting from their buyers. The book includes templates, pictures and instructions so it's a useful book for crafty types that need inspiration.



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Review: 101 Weird Ways to Make Money: Cricket Farming, Repossessing Cars, and Other Jobs With Big Upside and Not Much Competition

101 Weird Ways to Make Money: Cricket Farming, Repossessing Cars, and Other Jobs With Big Upside and Not Much Competition by Steve Gillman

My rating: 3 of 5 stars



If you are looking for fun, easy, quirky ideas for your own small business, this isn't the book for you. However, if you have an obscure talent or useful skill and want to know if it's marketable, this might be helpful. Otherwise, read this as a way to think, "People do that?" and learn some interesting careers.



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Review: Human.4

Human.4 by Mike A. Lancaster

My rating: 5 of 5 stars



I can't figure out a way to review this book without revealing the detail that you need to learn at the end. I will say that this was a distinctly unique view of the world and the people within it. It was a clever development of humanity. I realize that a sequel couldn't be possible because of the nature of the plot but I would love to read three prequels to it. I wish I could say more but it's all tied up in the secret and I don't want to spoil anything. Excellent book.



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Review: The Goddess Test

The Goddess Test by Aimee Carter

My rating: 3 of 5 stars



2 1/2 stars.

My like of Greek mythology and my fascination with the gods in the Percy Jackson books made me think this would be an excellent story. Told from a teenage girl's point of view, this story had a chance to reveal a different side of the gods.

Instead we meet a dark, depressed, emotionally stunted god that is preparing to fade away because he isn't able to get over his loss of Persephone. The ruler of Hades mooning for millenia over a girl? Really?? I mean, ruler. Of Hades. I just don't understand it.

I have two main issues with the book, the first of which is also one (of many!) compaint of the Twilight series. The age thing completely creeps me out. I thought the 90 year old vampire scoping out teenagers at high school was disgusting but this is beyond that point. Instead, we meet an immortal being that is an unimaginable amount of years beyond this 18 year old woman and we are expected to believe that her 'I'm going to ignore my mom's medical death sentence for four years because I think like a 6 year old and pretend that ignoring it makes it go away' mentality is going to work as a goddess bride and queen of the dead? She can't even have an actual conversation with other people but she's the perfect match for a god. Hate it.

My second issue is the lack of substance in the mythology department. The ending actually included a description of who was who in the gods and goddesses arena because the book had never managed to express it. Instead of tossing in a few paragraphs to wrap up the end, I would have preferred to have been exposed to the nature of the people around her so that I could have pondered possibilities while I read.

All in all, not a horrible book but not one I'll pick up the sequel for.



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Review: How to Start a Home-Based Craft Business, 5th

How to Start a Home-Based Craft Business, 5th by Kenn Oberrecht

My rating: 3 of 5 stars



I've giving this book 3 stars only because, in re-reading the synopsis, I realized that the book did deliver on its promised topics. There were checklists and basic information that would help someone who is completely unaware of the basics of starting a business. I had read it because I hoped to find a little more than the basics and was disappointed that it was so limited in scope.



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Review: Start Your Own Arts and Crafts Business: Retail, Carts and Kiosks, Craft Shows, Street Fairs

Start Your Own Arts and Crafts Business: Retail, Carts and Kiosks, Craft Shows, Street Fairs by Entrepreneur Press

My rating: 2 of 5 stars



Useful information but nothing that can't be found in other books or online.



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Review: Dark Life

Dark Life by Kat Falls

My rating: 2 of 5 stars



I'm stunned that this is part of a series. There wasn't enough in this book to justify a single book yet there will be enough to create a series?

Ty isn't so bad. I could do without his 'have to be hero' attitude and his fear of doctors. Sometimes, the good guys need to leave the bad guys behind and save themselves, you know? I think the worst aspect of Ty is that he likes Gemma. Anyone who can tolerate Gemma must be crazy. Of all the books I've read in the past year, Gemma is probably my least favorite since Elizabeth Berg's Helen Ames. In Helen's case in was her constant second-guessing and doubting approach to life, which is opposite to Gemma's worst traits. Gemma is obnoxious, impatient, deaf to reason and somehow completely unaware of danger. As a kid who spent her lifetime as a ward of the state in various locations, I'm sure that danger, bad situations and evil people were in her life yet she goes underwater and throws all common sense out the window.

The saving grace of the book would be the underwater world. The neighbors, houses, crops and habits were an interesting change from other dystopian books and I enjoyed that.



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Review: A Spy's Life

A Spy's Life by Henry Porter

My rating: 3 of 5 stars



I like spies. I like mysteries. I like conspiracies. I like history. With all of those likes, this book seemed perfect.

I had a hard time getting into the story and actually put it down several times, only to pick it up days later and read a little further into the story. When I think about the book, I can't really pinpoint a reason for my neutral feelings toward the book as it had enough adventure and intrigue. Perhaps my dislike of Eva and my inability to understand Harland that left me feeling that the book was so bland?

I think I would read another Henry Porter book again but I don't believe I'll ever look for another Robert Harland book.



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Review: Not Your Mother's Food Storage

Not Your Mother's Food Storage by Kathy Bray

My rating: 2 of 5 stars



This book is basically couponing for stockpiling. I was looking for something more focused on long-term food storage plans and instead read quite a bit about using coupons to buy what your family already eats to build up a reserve of foods. It's not that it's a bad idea...but it's not bookworthy. I was expecting something a little more unique and it simply didn't deliver.



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Review: Something, Maybe

Something, Maybe by Elizabeth Scott

My rating: 4 of 5 stars



I think my recent addiction to Sarah Dessen books earned this book a spot on my Recommendations page and I have to agree with GoodReads that it's a similar style. There's the standard almost friendless girl that wants to be unnoticed and the boy that likes her, the weird family dynamics of a split home with a single child, the coming of age drama as the girl grows up and learns something new about herself.

What set this book apart is the parent choices. If you've ever seen the movie House Bunny, picture the lead character and Hugh Hefner as parents. Then imagine that you are their child. Sounds crazy but it was quirky and fun.



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Review: An Unofficial Muggle's Guide to the Wizarding World: Exploring the Harry Potter Universe

An Unofficial Muggle's Guide to the Wizarding World: Exploring the Harry Potter Universe by Fionna Boyle

My rating: 5 of 5 stars



My daughter and I are Harry Potter geeks. My daughter is currently obsessed with the series (and I love that she is such a fan of books when there are so many tv shows and movies and cartoons to entice her away from the library) and she gets frustrated when talking to her dad because he simply can't follow the storylines and characters. I looked around for cliff notes and this book looked the most promising so I checked it out for my husband. Very informative and helps explain the links between books and the interconnectedness of the characters. He may not be a fan but after reading this book he can at least have a Harry Potter conversation with our daughter and understand what she is talking about. I wish it had been updated to include info on the final books but for 1-5 it was an excellent summary and review.



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Review: Cold Granite

Cold Granite by Stuart MacBride

My rating: 4 of 5 stars



GoodReads is convinced I like Scottish police thrillers. I had never considered it as an actual genre before but Recommendations keeps listing them. I will say that this is one of the better ones...which is good because I can end on a high note after reading several in the past few weeks.

In this book I found another detective I don't like in an area of foul weather and seemingly almost constant darkness. While he was tolerable and the reporter was obnoxious, everyone else made up for the over-the-top personalities by being likeable, humorous or dramatic in a good read sort of way. The crimes were difficult to read about as I typically avoid books involving young children but the final result gave me closure.



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Review: All The Pretty Girls

All The Pretty Girls by J.T. Ellison

My rating: 3 of 5 stars



GoodReads, I'm not sure what I did to offend you, but enough with the recommendations for books with flawed police officers that manage to solve complex mysteries in a matter of days. And it's amazing how often these same officers find themselves personally connected to the case. It's such a common theme that the characters themselves drop this book to a 2 Star rating. However, the killer's modus operandi is unique and interesting enough that I kept reading. There were plenty of clues, some obvious decoys and enough gruesomeness to make the plot absorbing enough to earn 4 stars. Overall, 3 stars...and I would be willing to read another book in the series.



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Review: Borderlands

Borderlands by Brian McGilloway

My rating: 3 of 5 stars



It snows a lot in Ireland. A lot. Way more than I ever expected.

Once I got past the constant weather updates and descriptions, it was a decent book. Detective with personal issues and several vices manages to solve a series of murders. While I enjoyed the book enough to finish it, I wasn't a fan of Inspector Devlin.



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Review: First Light

First Light by Rebecca Stead

My rating: 3 of 5 stars



Boy goes to Greenland and lives on the ice.
Girl lives in Greenland and lives in the ice.
Boy meets girl. Dramatic ending ensues.

Not my favorite YA read but it was different. I did like Gracehope and the world below the ice but I wanted more info. How was light produced? How did people learn to speak dog? Why were these special talents in the population? Why didn't the ice shift or crack or melt? A less antagonistic protaganist and a little more depth would have made this book excellent.



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Review: Crossed

Crossed by Ally Condie

My rating: 2 of 5 stars



I really enjoyed Matched and expected to have two more books to enjoy. Didn't happen. This book falls far short of any expectations based on Matched. I didn't finish the book, eventually getting tired of every character by the halfway point.



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Review: The Unthinkable: Who Survives When Disaster Strikes - and Why

The Unthinkable: Who Survives When Disaster Strikes - and Why by Amanda Ripley

My rating: 4 of 5 stars



Fascinating book that looks into people's reactions to disasters. This was a book that was so filled with intriguing details and surprising stories that I found myself repeatedly telling my husband, "Oh, I just read the most interesting thing. Did you know..." Included are stories of big disasters - 9/11, tsunamis and hurricanes - as well as ones about individuals and their personal disasters. It's a long read but well worth it.



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