Beverly Stowe McClure's Blog: Enter Beverly's World of Writing, page 5

Adventures on the Sea

Voyages of No Return: Mutiny on the HMS Bounty and Beyond by Wanda Snow Porter

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


Have you ever wondered about your ancestors? What were their lives like? Were they ordinary men and women, working, raising their children? Or were they adventuresome, wanting to explore new lands, to sail the oceans, to discover new plants and other experiences awaiting them? If you don’t know your family history, you might be surprised what you’d find.

In VOYAGES OF NO RETURN, Author Wanda Snow Porter writes about the HMS Bounty and the merchant ship Mercury, and the fate of these ships and the sailors on board. Her story is the truth. Her information is based on her husband’s family history. Wouldn’t it be exciting to learn about your kin from so many years ago?

In Ms. Porter’s non-fiction book, we meet brave sailors, experience a mutiny and violent storms, to name a few of the experiences of the men on these ships. We also meet natives of the islands they visit and see how the appearance of the sailors affect their lives. I think you will find the information the author writes about fascinating and also will recognize how dangerous a life on the sea could be. At least I did. You might even decide to do a little research on your own ancestors.

As I sailed along with these men and witnessed the dangers they faced on their voyages, I realized how brave they were. Never thought about it before. I won’t say any more and ruin the book for you. But I thank Wanda Snow Porter for sharing what she discovered about her husband’s family. Now, I need to check on mine. How about you?




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Comics, Contests, and Fun

Stanley Will Probably Be Fine by Sally J. Pla

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


Take a boy named Stanley, who loves comics, his brother Calvin who loves to torment Stanley, and The Trivia Quest Treasure Hunt, a contest that Stanley and his best friend Joon want to win, and you have a fun adventure. Well, mostly fun, with a few complications.

Sally J. Pla has written a story that middle grade and even older readers will enjoy. When Stanley and Joon enter The Trivia Quest Treasure Hunt, Stanley discovers that best friends are not always loyal. Even more surprising, someone he does not expect to be a best friend might be just that.
Confused? So is Stanley at times. But he is a kid with a goal and will let nothing stop him from achieving that goal.

The author has created true-to-life characters that you might meet in most any school. Stanley doesn’t always understand why life turns out the way it does, but he deals with each situation he faces in his way. When things don’t work out for Stanley and his old best friend, he and his new best friend-I’m not saying who-enter the Treasure Hunt while his former best friend and his new best friend do the same. Will either team win the Treasure Hunt and get to attend Comic Fest? Or will they have to watch another team be the winners? You may be surprised at the answer.

STANLEY WILL PROBABLY BE FINE would make a great addition to middle school libraries and classrooms, as well as your own library. Highly recommended.
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An Unusual Project

Project US by Ottilie Weber

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


Imagine you’re on a school field trip, a trip that turns into a project to teach the students the responsibility of adulthood. Sound a little weird, does it? Just wait. This is only the beginning.

In PROJECT US by Ottilie Weber, the reader meets a group of high school students as they set out on an overnight field trip, at least that’s the way it starts out. When Rachel Hertz discovers that her roommate is Nick March, a guy she’s known for years, she’s puzzled. Something is wrong. Teachers would not allow a girl and a guy to share a room, right? No mistake has been made, however. The other students are matched the same as Rachel and Nick, a boy and a girl assigned to each room. Even worse, if possible, they have little or no contact with their parents to help straighten matters out. I don’t want to give anything away, but the situation gets worse.

Rachel is a likeable character, trying to figure out her life as most teens do. Nick is adorable, and the connection between the two is fun and realistic. Told from alternate points-of-view (Rachel and Nick) we get to see both sides of the story.

A fun read with some serious thoughts, which led me to the question: how much control should the government have over our schools and students? What about the parents? Shouldn’t they know what’s going on with their children? What do you think?




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Travel Back to the Past

Timeless by Crystal Collier

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


Have you ever wondered what it would be like to travel back in time? I have, thinking how neat it would be to meet my ancestors and see how they lived. Or how about traveling to the future and see what the world would be like hundreds of years from now. Would you still be you in another time? Interesting to think about. If time travel, adventure, magic, and very interesting people intrigue you then take a look at Author Crystal Collier’s latest novel TIMELESS, Book Three in the Maiden of Time Trilogy.

In TIMELESS, nineteen-year-old Alexia is now 500 years in the past, away from her husband, the father of her soon to be born baby. She is back in time to undo the mistakes of the past and of the future.

Kiren, Alexia’s husband in the future, is also there in the past. That is not supposed to be and complicates matters. What follows is a gentle, confusing romance for the two of them as well as danger for them all, including the unborn baby.

Crystal Collier has created a world of interesting characters dealing with life and death and mixed emotions. I love Alexia. She’s brave and smart and concerned for her child’s future if she should die in child birth. She has mixed emotions about Kiren in the future and in the present time. I can not imagine what it would be like to face your husband who did not know you because he had not met you until centuries later. And Kiren? I can see why she loves him. He is human with a slight temper; he’s also gentle and kind and in love with Alexia. I hoped all would work out for them, even in a different century. Yes, I’m a hopeless romantic.

TIMELESS is a fascinating story that will keep you reading to see if Alexia succeeds in her quest and if she and Kiren live happily ever after. Oh, what about the baby? You’ll find out when you read the story. Enjoy.




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A Magical Story

The Prophecy by Victoria Simcox

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


When I started reading THE PROPHECY, The Bernovem Chronicles Book 4, by Victoria Simcox, the story reminded me of the fairy tales I loved when I was young. Magical stories with fascinating characters have always intrigued me, and THE PROPHECY has plenty of both.

I enjoyed meeting Kristina again, along with James, her former childhood friend. She thinks of earlier times with James, but things have changed and they aren’t too crazy about each other now. Nevertheless, she and James are on a quest to find part of Bernovem’s Book of Prophecy. Along the way they encounter danger of every kind imaginable.

The author describes each scene so vividly, I almost felt as though I were there, in the freezing water when the boat sank, smelling the fish guts. No kidding. And in other scenes where characters changed their appearance, I could envision what they looked like. Victoria Simcox has a vivid imagination that brings to life this magical world where good and evil clash. Who will win? Will Kristina and James be successful in their quest? Recommended for middle-grade readers and up, and also for the young at heart.




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Magic, Fairies, and Hell Hounds

Frozen by Christine Amsden

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


A young couple found frozen inside a house covered with ice, when the temperature outside is fifty degrees. A large number of suicides have occurred recently. The sighting of a werewolf, or is it something else? Weird things are happening in the area and the sheriff asks Cassie and Ethan for help in solving the mystery. Yes, Cassandra (Cassie) Scot is back in Author Christine Amsden’s latest novel FROZEN, Book Seven in A Paranormal Mystery series. And I’m so happy to see her and her interesting family again.

Now, Cassie and Ethan are married and have an adorable one-year-old daughter named Ana, and they’re one happy family. Or are they? Cassie’s mother has not recovered from her husband’s death and is unable to care for Cassie’s siblings that range in age from seventeen to twins two years old. Cassie feels guilty for not helping them more. And now, with the mystery of the murdered young couple, the sighting of hell hounds and fairies her life is about to get even more complicated.

The author is an expert at creating characters that seem real, with problems like normal people have: family, children, love, and just trying to survive in an often unfriendly world. Add a touch of magic and you have a story where almost anything can happen and does.

FROZEN A PARANORMAL MYSTERY BOOK SEVEN is a delicious addition to the series and the perfect ending. Or is it the end? Will Cassie, Ethan and friends be back? Only the author knows. Recommended for readers who enjoy a great novel.




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The Devil You Say

Evil Unleashed by Kelly Hashway

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


Demons, The Devil, Angels, Mothers, Fathers, Hell, and we must not forget the ravens. If Kaylan thought life was tough before, she’s about to find out that it can get worse. In EVIL UNLEASHED, Book 2, by New York Times Best Selling Author Kelly Hashway, Kaylyn’s life gets more complicated with each passing day. I don’t want to give away too much and spoil the story for you, but there are a lot of twists and turns and unexpected events that Kaylyn faces. Not telling exactly what.

Reese decides he knows what’s best for Kaylyn, but there is a twist he does not realize. Not only does she have to deal with Reese, but there’s Riley who also loves her. Then, some of them are in the present day, others in past days, and how about future days. Confused yet. You’ll understand when you read the story, if you haven’t already read UNSEEN EVIL, Book 1, which will help you understand.

If you enjoy suspense, complicated characters that might be good or evil or both, and a touch of romance, be sure to get a copy of EVIL UNLEASHED, Book 2. You might want to read the novel with the lights on, however.




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A Girl Who Has Everything, Or Does She

I Am Me by Kai Strand

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


Have you ever volunteered for an organization that helps people in need? If so, how did it make you feel? Doing for others, whether it’s providing meals, taking someone to the doctor, mowing lawns, or whatever brings joy not only to the recipient but to the volunteer as well. Or it should.

In Author Kai Strand’s latest young adult novel, I AM ME, we meet Lola Renaldi, a high school senior who has most everything a girl could want. Being wealthy doesn’t always mean being happy, however. Lola and her mother disagree on many things, like which college she should attend, which boy she should like, and how she should dress, among other things.

I like the way Lola stands up for herself, even though she sometimes has doubts about what she is doing. Lola volunteers at a kitchen where she helps serve food to those in need. She also helps build houses, where she meets Rodney, a boy who is different from the other boys she knows. He has secrets, and she cannot figure him out.

Kai Strand has created characters that are not perfect but seem so real they might be your neighbors. Lola makes mistakes. She doesn’t always know what’s best for her to do. But Lola is loyal to her best friend when she gets in trouble. And then there’s Rodney (Rod) who has stolen her heart. What will she do when she learns the truth about him?

I AM ME touches on situations that many teens face today. Perhaps Kai Strand’s novel will help them make tough decisions and see that they are “Me,” not who someone else wants them to be.
This story would make a great addition to high school libraries as well as public libraries. Recommended.




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Stand Up to the Bullies

Amos Faces His Bully by Cheryl C. Malandrinos

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


Have you ever wondered what makes some kids, or adults, a bully? Why do they enjoy teasing and taunting others? It’s sure not fun being on the receiving end. How to stop bullying is a big problem today, and it also is in Author Cheryl C. Malandrinos’s latest picture book AMOS FACES HIS BULLY.

The setting of the story is the city of Bethlehem many years ago. The boys in the neighborhood have fun taunting ten-year-old Amos. They call him names, like “cry baby.” They even get physical and push him around. You can imagine the emotions that run through young Amos. Or perhaps you or someone you know has been bullied too.

Luckily for Amos, seventeen-year-old David rescues him, again. David tells Amos his experiences with his older brothers, who liked to taunt him. He also has some wise words to share with Amos. Will Amos remember David’s advice the next time he sees the bullies? Will he be strong enough to stand up to Nathaniel, the leader of the pack? What do you think David told Amos?

The illustrator, Jack Foster, has created characters just right for this story. The expressions on the boys’ faces show their emotions, and I could almost hear them speaking to each other in a different tone of voice for each event in the story.

It seems to me that what worked for Amos many years ago would work for children and adults today. I recommend AMOS FACES HIS BULLY for young readers to show that they do not have to tolerate being bullied. It would make a great addition to school libraries, public libraries, and of course your own library.




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Romance, Mystery, and Adventure

Unseen Evil by Kelly Hashway

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


Have you ever been outside on a dark, dark night and felt as though someone was watching you? You hurried to get to your car and maybe even dialed 911. And then… Think of what possibly could happen in a situation like this. In Author Kelly Hashway’s latest series, UNSEEN EVIL Book 1, Kaylan faces such a situation and it gets even worse.

Kaylan is a high school student with an after-school job to help her dad who is out of work. But one thing after another happens in Kaylan’s life, from someone attempting to run over her with her own car to meeting Reese, the new boy in school who is absolutely a 5 (the way her friend Trysha ranks guys), to the truth she learns about who she really is.

Kelly Hashway has a great imagination and she’s created a story with lots of twists and turns that will keep you guessing what happens next, at least it did me. There’s a bit of romance for romance lovers, action for action lovers, and an interesting plot to explore for all.

And, after reading UNSEEN EVIL Book 1, you’ll most likely be ready for EVIL UNLEASHED Book 2 in the series. That’s where I’m going next. Happy Reading.




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