Moloka'i
by Alan Brennert (Goodreads Author)

Jan 26, 20 14  

5 of 5 stars

Read from January 20 to 26, 2014

This richly imagined novel, set in Hawaii more than a century ago, is an extraordinary epic of a little-known time and place---and a deeply moving testament to the resiliency of the human spirit. It covers an 80 year span from 1891-1970.

Rachel Kalama, a seven-year-old Hawaiian girl, dreams of visiting far-off lands like her father, a merchant seaman. Then one day a rose-colored mark appears on her skin, and those dreams are stolen from her. Taken from her home and family, Rachel is sent to Kalaupapa, the quarantined leprosy settlement on the island of Moloka'i. Here her life is supposed to end---but instead she discovers it is only just beginning.

MY REVIEW

I found the book to be heartbreaking and uplifting, following the story of Rachel Kalama. With death all around her she still showed incredible strength and courage for herself and others. She dealt with each challenge and was a positive influence to all those around her. I admired her bravery in dealing with her illness and not letting it take over her life.

I also enjoyed this book because it opened my eyes to a problem, to which I had never given much thought to, even though it was unpleasant. I learned much about the leper colony on this small island of Hawaii. It was also very detailed and many of the political figures and certainly the locations were factual. I learned about Hawaii's history over the 80 year span.

There were themes of religion, culture, family life and politics within the book. I also like how the book ended even though the last 20 years were rushed through.

Since there were so many Hawaiian words throughout the book, I would have liked if the author included a glossary of the terms in the back of the book.  It would have definitely helped me!

Walking Shadow
by Robert B. Parker

Jan 16, 2014  

4 of 5 stars

bookshelves: 2014-new-authors

Read from January 12 to 16, 2014

A theater manager is being stalked by a mysterious figure and asks Spenser to help. Before he can start investigating, an actor is shot and killed on stage during a performance. An actress also complains of being followed. While he’s trying to figure out exactly what’s going on, Spenser gets threatened by the leader of the local Chinese gangs. After surviving a hail of bullets, Spenser and Hawk turn to gunman and gangster Vinnie Morris for assistance.

My Review:

Robert Parker is a new author for me. I am going to add him to my list of good detective story writers. A friend of mine gave me the book to read since I like the detective genre. This one did not disappoint me. It was an easy read that kept me guessing until the end. I did have some hunches though as I read through the book. Apparently, this is one of the books from The Spenser Series which includes 39 books!! I would imagine if I go back to the first book in the series, I will get some background information about the characters and the situations they have been through.

The only thing that annoyed me was the overuse of the word "said." It was constantly "I said, She said, or He said." There are lots of words that can be used to substitute for the word "said.

Fairy Tale Weddings: Cindy and the Prince / Some Kind of Wonderful
by Debbie Macomber (Goodreads Author)

Jan 11, 2014 

3 of 5 stars

Read from January 08 to 11, 2014

Fairy Tale Weddings contains two previously published Debbie Macomber novels. Cindy and her Prince is a modern retelling of Cinderella and Some Kind of Wonderful is a modern retelling of Beauty and the Beast.

My Review:

I usually don't like to read two stories in one book but this book was an exception. Cindy and Her Prince was ok, but I didn't particularly care for the story line. It was unrealistic to me because Thorne fell in love with Cindy almost instantly. I guess that is what makes the story a fairy tale but she was annoying to me since she couldn't make up her mind about their relationship.

Some Kind of Wonderful really held my attention more. The story line was more developed and more intense at times. I was drawn right into it from the beginning. I like how the two leading characters were there for each other and were influential in changing each others lives for the better.

Along Came a Spider (Alex Cross, #1)
 

Jan 07, 20 14  

5 of 5 stars

Read from January 04 to 07, 2014

A missing little girl named Maggie Rose . . . a family of three brutally murdered in the projects of Washington, D.C. . . . the thrill-killing of a beautiful elementary school teacher . . . a psychopathic serial kidnapper/murderer who is so terrifying that the FBI, the Secret Service, and the police cannot outsmart him - even after he's been captured.

Gary Soneji wants to commit the crime of the century. Alex Cross is the brilliant homicide detective pitted against him. Jezzie Flanagan is the first female supervisor of the Secret Service who completes one of the most unusual suspense triangles in any thriller you have ever read.

Alex Cross and Jezzie Flanagan are about to have a forbidden love affair--at the worst possible time for both of them. Because Gary Soneji is playing at the top of his game. The latest of the unspeakable crimes happens in Alex Cross's precinct. It happens under the noses of Jezzie Flanagan's men. Now Alex Cross must face the ultimate test: How do you outmaneuver a brilliant psychopath.

My Review:

I really liked this book a lot since I enjoy reading suspense,mystery, and crime books. It was definitely a page turner for me. The chapters were only a few pages long which I like when reading books. I wanted to keep reading to see what would happen next. Gary was definitely a sick cookie. The crimes he committed were horrific. There were some surprises throughout the story. I plan on continuing to read The Alex Cross series.

A Secret Splendor
by Sandra Brown (Goodreads Author)

Jan 02, 2014  

3 of 5 stars

bookshelves: new-to-me-authors, 2014-new-authors-for-me

Read from December 30, 2013 to January 02, 2014

She is a mother searching for her child . . .

After the death of her little boy, Joey, Arden Gentry feels a terrible emptiness. Divorced and devastated over the loss of her son, Arden is utterly alone.

But she has another son -- a child she agreed to give up at birth to save her marriage and her family from financial ruin. Now that Joey is gone, Arden is convinced that the son she'd never held could ease her overwhelming heartache.

After years of monitoring his whereabouts, Arden leaves Los Angeles behind and goes to Maui, where her son is currently living. But in the tropical paradise of Hawaii, Arden starts to doubt her decision to contact him. Because she knows that finding him could resurrect all the half-truths, secrets and unspeakable lies that surrounded his birth.

My review:
I have mixed feelings about this book. I liked the beginning chapter when the plot was introduced and I definitely liked the last 60 pages. I couldn't put it down. I was really into those parts.

The middle of the book was unrealistic to me. The way the 2 main characters fell in love so quickly was ridiculous. I do like how they both had self esteem issues and they were able to help one another overcome them. However, the explicit sex scenes, I could have done without. I found myself scanning over those parts since they became repetitive and they were fill-ins for the plot.

Without giving too much away, I was really annoyed with one of the characters since he was a dirty rotten scoundrel.

Better Than Chocolate (Life in Icicle Falls, #1)
by Sheila Roberts (Goodreads Author)

Dec 28, 2013  

4 of 5 stars

bookshelves: 2013-new-authors-for-me

Sweet Dreams Chocolate Company has been in the Sterling family for generations, ever since Great-Grandma Rose literally dreamed up her first fabulous recipe. But now it looks as if they're about to lose Sweet Dreams to the bank—and that would be a disaster, not only for the family but for the town of Icicle Falls, Washington. Can Samantha, the oldest daughter and new head of the company, come up with a way to save it?After Samantha does some brainstorming with her mother and sisters, inspiration strikes. They'll have a chocolate festival! Time's running out, but the Sterling women are determined and the town's behind them, so everything's bound to go smoothly….

Or not. Events seem to be conspiring against Samantha, and her mother's attempts to help aren't helping. To make matters worse, the fate of her company is in the hands of her archenemy, Blake Preston, the bank manager with the football-hero good looks. It's enough to drive her to chocolate. But Blake's also enough to convince her that (believe it or not) there's something even better than chocolate.

My Review:
I decided to read this book because of the title. I was intrigued with it since I am a chocoholic. It turned out to be a good book. It showed how families can work together to achieve certain goals. Your biggest asset is your family It is important to have families that support one another as this book showed. It was a book about small-town life and how sweet it could be.There were humorous parts in the book. It showed how you can successfully balance business and love. Each chapter began with a quote about living life to the fullest. It was definitely an inspirational book. This book was Book #1 in the Icicle Falls series. I am looking forward to reading the other books in the series.

Paradise Valley (Virgin River, #7)
by Robyn Carr

Dec 16, 2013  

4 of 5 stars

I wasn't pulled into this book of the series as I was with the others. This book focuses on 4 couples.

I found Walt and Muriel's relationship to be boring. It did nothing for me. It was part of the book and that was as far as I am concerned. I don't care either way if they continue to be part of the series.

On the other hand, I liked reading about Cam and Abby's relationship even though it wasn't very realistic about how they met and fell in love the same night and what the outcome was of that night. I was glad to hear the true story about Abby's ex-husband. Quite different than I expected. I am looking forward to reading more about their marriage and children.

I liked reading the continuing story behind Rick and Lizzy's relationship. I am glad the book ended with their relationship going in the right direction.

I was very surprised to read about Cheryl and Dan's budding relationship. I never expected it at all after reading about them briefly in the earlier books of the series. I am interested in reading more about how it goes for them.

As always, I enjoy reading about the continuing lives of all the Virgin River residents.