Food, Girls, and Other Things I Can’t Have

Okay, first I will start with a basic overview of the book. Then, my thoughts on the book will be next.
So, the overview.

Basically, the book is about a teenage boy, named Andy. Andy is overweight. He struggles with this fact, as he is a sophomore in high school, and his parents are divorced. Anyway, his mom is a caterer. He attends a wedding with her. There, he meets April, who may just be the love of his life. He talks to her for a minute, then she’s gone. Forever. Or so he thinks. At school, he tries out for the football team, which he does on accident. He makes the team and learns secrets he may have never wanted to know. In the end….well never-mind. I don’t want to give anything away.

Now, the review. I actually really LOVED this book. It is really well written, and I definitely look forward to reading more of this author’s books. I recommend this book to anyone who just wants a really good book to read, I honestly will probably re-read this book, just because it is that good.

Classes

Okay, so my classes in order from favorite to least favorite.
This is actually going to be really hard, but I will do my absolute best!

1. English and Algebra tie
2. Science and History tie
3. Art
4. Intro to Business and PE tie

Sorry for all of the ties, but if you had my teachers, you would completely understand! (:

Dark Folds

Jo’s childhood was marked by deformity and the emotional pain caused by both ridicule and rejection. It seemed like a normal life was ahead for Jo. Fate would not have it, after stumbling upon a sword that turned out to be more than just an ordinary piece of metal but a sentient speaking being, Jo’s life changed dramatically. Jo proved to be and extraordinary fighter who now wielded a sword of legend blessed by Tran, the god all Light and all things good. With a battle around almost every corner, the wear and tear begins to bare down on Jo. The appearance of a new evil brings rise to even greater battles, but does Jo have the strength to continue fighting the greatest battle of all time?

I found the idea of this book to be interesting, so I picked it up from Dorrance hoping for a good read. What I found was somewhat lacking, but still readable.
The writing is a slightly juvenile, the editing could use some work, and the plot itself skips a lot. There isn’t much character development or description. But then, I don’t think it was meant to be a superstar, really deep read- at least not for me. I don’t know if that was the author’s intention or not, but it read like a book that you would give a fourth grader interested in fantasy. It was entertaining enough, and the plot did have a few twists. I would say it’s more like a 4 in rating.

The Dragons of Chiril

After her father went missing fifteen years earlier, Tipper has kept her family and their estate afloat with selling off his art. But, when he suddenly reappears (along with two eccentric men from a country on the other side of the world), it becomes a life and death mission to find three statues that she had sold years ago. A ragtag team sets off to find and connect the statues before the world crashed in around them but there are obstacles that will make the journey difficult. Plus, something new is at work and the land of Chiril will soon come to know Wulder, a powerful being that holds everything in his hands.

The main characters stick together through the journey when it becomes difficult and they need one another. When in mortal danger, they defend one another. When it became difficult to get one of the statues, they didn’t want to steal it because they knew it was wrong and didn’t want to go against the teachings of Wulder. Unfortunately, they did lie a couple of times when they couldn’t have the truth come out and Tipper doesn’t listen or obey well and disobeys the others a few times.

The greatest plus to the book is how well Paul explored the Christianity-based religion of the fictional world’s Wulder. Many authors seem to try to push an overtly Christian fictional setting and faith. To say that they are unsuccessful, would be an understatement. They fail *miserably*.

The fact that Paul succeeded where most authors fail, is an incredible achievement for her, which only makes the book all the more enjoyable and invigorating a read. I can’t praise it enough. If you want to find a great fantasy modern (other than The Chronicles of Narnia or The Lord of the Rings, which are two of the other very few works to be great truly Christian fantasy) novel that expounds a Christian worldview, please read this book and Dragons of the Valley.

Wonderful characters and settings, a detailed and well-written Christian worldview, and a plain fun story, *The Dragons of Chiril* has all of it. Highly Recommended.

DragonSpell

This books somehow achieves that elusive balance of light-hearted fantasy with a passionate message about the love of God in the midst of the hurts and confusions of life. A fun and entertaining read, the message is unobtrusive, but so integral to the story that you ache for a closer relationship with Palidan and his Father, Wulder.

It is a very rare talent to stimulate that hunger for a closer relationship with virtually no church-like language or theological jargon. It is rarer still to do so with simple language showing gripping and imaginative characters involved in a desperate battle – while keeping the tone upbeat and hopeful. The good dragons are a surprising and delightful twist against preconceived notions that all dragons must be evil.

Reminiscent of C.S. Lewis’ Chronicles of Narnia in the imaginative creatures and characters, this has a tone and flavor all its own. Readers who loved the Chronicles will love this also. Yet they should come to it expecting something new and fresh. They won’t be disappointed.

I am eagerly anticipating dipping into the sequel – savoring it – like a second helping of dessert that is just a bit too rich for one sitting.

Altogether a wonderful book

Beauty: An Extroardinary Tale

Beauty is a physical state that brings pleasure simply from being perceived by the naked eye. Moreover, beauty is also a manifestation of our inner persona. By believing in one’s self, the inner beauty is conceived. Focusing on inner beauty and envisioning one’s desired appearance, a new body emerges–a body exalting one’s true beauty. This is Beauty’s quest.

Beauty is a woman like no other. Born of a human mother and a Lizarian father, her body is scaled and a strong blue tail forms at her back. From the time she is able to comprehend the complexities of life, Beauty perceives herself as ugly.

Through the many experiences she goes through–fierce battles, lifetime friendships, life changing trials, and love–Beauty realizes there is more to beauty than the outer appearance alone.

As Beauty embarks on a journey through various worlds in search of the real meaning of beauty, she asks of you to be her company.

Sherina, a young priestess and princess, was captured by the Lizarian people. Through her years as a captive she fell in love with one of their own, Barush. Together they had a daughter, Beauty. Beauty wasn’t like the other kids… she was human but had a blue tail. She also had the powers of her priestess mother and the unfortunate ability to read minds so she knew exactly what others thought about her differences. Through battles and adventures she discovers what is truly important in her life and is able to accept herself as the true beauty her mother knew she was from the moment she was born.

The Harvest of Grace

The Harvest of Grace is the third and final book in the trilogy Ada’s House, written by Cindy Woodsmall.

Reeling from an unexpected betrayal, can Sylvia find relief from the echoes of her past…or will they shape her future forever?

Although Sylvia Fisher recognizes that most Old Order Amish women her age spend their hours managing a household and raising babies, she has just one focus—tending and nurturing the herd on her family’s dairy farm. But when a dangerous connection with an old beau forces her to move far from home, she decides to concentrate on a new start and pour her energy into reviving another family’s debt-ridden farm.

After months in rehab, Aaron Blank returns home to sell his Daed’s failing farm and move his parents into an easier lifestyle. Two things stand in his way: the father who stubbornly refuses to recognize that Aaron has changed and the determined new farmhand his parents love like a daughter. Her influence on Aaron’s parents could ruin his plans to escape the burdens of farming and build a new life.

Can Aaron and Sylvia find common ground? Or will their unflinching efforts toward opposite goals blur the bigger picture— a path to forgiveness, glimpses of grace, and the promise of love.

A GREAT CONCLUSION TO AN AMISH TRILOGY! THE HARVEST OF GRACE BY CINDY WOODSMALL

THE HARVEST OF GRACE by Cindy Woodsmall is an inspirational Amish romance trilogy. It is an exciting conclusion to “An Ada’s House” novel. See “The Hope of Refuge” and “The Bridge Of Peace”.”The Harvest of Grace” is the story of Sylvia Fisher,an Old Oder Amish woman,who has been betrayed,and lives her family’s diary farm for a new start to use her energy into helping a debt-ridden farm. Aaron Blank,who has been in rehab and returns to his father’s farm to sell the debt-ridden farm. But with Sylvia’s help,influence,and her influence who Aaron’s parents Aaron learns to build a new life. Sylvia and Aaron find a glimpse of peace,a bit of romance,forgiveness,healing,while they have opposite goals they may just find the promise of love on a rural farm and work toward a bigger picture. A must read for all Amish,inspirational, romance readers. This is a fast paced story of faith,healing and forgiveness.

Finals Week

So, finals week was this week. I was slightly nervous about it and, quite frankly, scared.  It was also a crazy week because one of my favorite teachers had to have a surgery, and, well, that problem speaks for itself.

She had her surgery on Monday, which was also a day we had off (Columbus Day).   Anyway, we knew she wouldn’t be there on Tuesday or Wednesday, because she would need to recover. One of the worst feelings was walking in on Thursdasy, expecting to see your teacher, and seeing a substitute. I was honestly pretty worried that something had happened during, or after, her surgery. Well, as it turns out, she is okay, and she just needed an extra day off. So, walking in today and seeing her definitely made me smile (really big, like the picture) I was really tempted to run up and hug her. (I resisted the urge)  Anyway, we didn’t do much because other classes still had to take the final, so we reviewed on our own for later finals. Anyway, there’s the story on my teacher.

(:

Now, I said it was finals week. Anyway, my school has a cool way of doing things where the odd hours took finals Thursday and even numbers were Friday. So, 2, 4, and 6 were yesterday, and 1,3,5, and 7, were today.  So, I took my English and Intro to Business yesterday, and Art, Algebra, History, and Science were today.  I already know my scores though. I did really well on my finals, which makes me really happy.  All in all, this week was pretty awesome, and I am really happy that everything is going well. (:  happy days to you my readers!

Lucifer and Lacious

Lucifer and Lacious is a book written by author Sean Vincent Lehosit.

Now,I’m really not sure how to review this book. It’s incredibly descriptive with an interesting premise, yet also very graphic and violent. But I guess you have to be a little graphic and violent when describing demons and the seven pits of hell. It just seemed a little too raw for my tastes.

The main character is called Slave, as he does not remember his name or anything about his previous life. Lucifer seems to take a special interest in the fact he can’t remember his name and carves strange numbers into Slave’s forehead. Overall, Slave seemed a bit passive to me until he met Stranger, who pushed him into journeying deeper into hell. Despite decades toiling in hell and surviving punishment after punishment, Slave seemed to place his trust in Stranger awfully fast.

Stranger and Slave meet several different, interesting characters during their journey, but I kept wishing that Slave wasn’t quite so trusting. Stranger seemed to have a plan, but wasn’t entirely truthful in sharing it with Slave. And to be honest, I didn’t really get the ending. I understood it, but didn’t “get” it, if you know what I mean.

All in all, this was an interesting, quick read. I gave it a 4 out of 5 rating because I thought that while the story could have been a little more polished, the author has talent and imagination. Would be interested in reading other works by Lehosit, as he can write!

* I received my copy of this book for free from Dorrance Publishing. You can learn more on the page “Get Free Books”. *

Pershing: Commander of the Great War

Pershing: Commander of the Great War, is a book in John Perry’s series The Generals. This series is about the great generals that America has seen in their             major wars, such as this book, which is about World War One.

No other American military leader is so important and yet so little known as John J. Pershing.

He led an army of more than a million men in France, defeating the seemingly invincible German war machine with only six months of offensive action. He was an American hero, and yet, today, General Pershing has faded away to the second or third tier of America’s historical consciousness. His accomplishments rightly place him in the company of great generals such as MacArthur, Eisenhower, and Patton, all of whom he commanded and inspired, and all of whom he outranked. He shaped world events in Europe as surely as Woodrow Wilson or David Lloyd George,so why has America forgotten him?

John Perry chronicles the life of a strong, inflexible leader who was an insufferable nit-picker on the job, but a faithful friend, tender husband, and devoted father. To the small group fortunate enough to know him, Pershing was a great and wonderful man. To the rest, he was stiff, cold, impersonal, and best avoided.

I found this book very interesting. I really enjoyed the main aspect of it, which is John Pershing and his life, inside and outside, of the war.  I was captivated by the book in a way where I could not put it down. I do like history, although not my favorite subject, but I have never enjoyed a book about History so much. I was very happy when I found that this book wasn’t just about the war, but Pershing’s life also.  At first, I was skeptical about reading a book about a person, because I thought it would be full of info, and, quite frankly, boring. I found this fact to be fiction.  I would definitely recommend this book to any person who enjoys history and reading about the people who helped make this country what it is today.

* I received my copy of this book for free from booksneeze, which you can find out more about on my page, “Get Free Books”.