Cynthia Marcano's Blog, page 10

ACReview: Traces of Mercy by Michael Landon Jr.

Traces of Mercy
Author - Michael Landon Jr.
352 pages
Time It Took for to Read - 2 Days
Rating - 3 out of 5 Stars
Would I Recommend to My Students: NoAt the war’s end, a young woman suffers an accident that leaves her unconscious and alone. Waking with amnesia, she takes the name Mercy and wants more than anything to find out the truth of her past. But then a handsome stranger arrives, who may hold the key to everything she has forgotten. What he knows could devastate her future, and even end her life. Written by two proven storytellers, Traces of Mercy is perfect for anyone who loves historical fiction, prairie-based tales, or just a good romance.
What I Loved...Nothing.

What I Liked...The end had potential and I am hoping that the next book can make up for this book. Towards the end it picked up and I will read the next one just out of curiosity.Other... I rated this book a generous 3 stars because of the ending. I have to say that I do not like the main character Mercy. It is hard to like a book if you just don't like the main character. 
The military Sgt,  is about the only bright light in this book and it's no coincidence that when he becomes a staple in the story (the end) that the book gets interesting.

This eBook was provided by NetGalley. My review of this book is my own opinion and I have received no compensation in exchange.

Disclaimer: This book was provided by the publisher through NetGalley. The opinion of this book, is my own and I was not paid or compensated for for my review.

ACR: The Miner's Lady by Tracie Peterson

The Miner's Lady
Author -Tracie Peterson
350 pages
Time It Took for to Read - 2 Days
Rating - 5 out of 5 Stars
Would I Recommend to My Students:YesWhen Chantel Panetta's younger sister claims to be in love with Orlando Vittorio, Chantel knows there is no hope. The Panettas and Vittorios have been sworn enemies for decades, and young love cannot heal the deep wounds between the two iron-mining families. Yet, unable to resist Isabella's pleas, Chantel agrees to help her sister spend time with Orlando...only to have a run-in with Dante, Orlando's brother. The older, more handsome one.

Chantel can't deny the attraction that flares when she's with Dante. But when a tragedy occurs at the mine, is there any hope that the hatred that has simmered between these two families might be resolved? Or will Chantel's hope for love be buried amidst decades of misunderstanding?
What I Loved...The story overall is just great. It entails everything I love in a historical romance genre. Tracie Peterson did a great job making me feel like I was walking in the muddy streets or feeling the cold against my flesh. I alos love the cover.

What I Liked...I really liked the brothers Dante and Orlando. I could totally picture them and hear them in my head. I also liked the Panetta Family dynamic. They seemed like a genuine family and a family that I would know.Other...I know I haven't given much detail in my review and that is mainly because I really do like this book alot and I don't want to give anything way. I highly recommend!!!

Disclaimer: This book was provided by the publisher through NetGalley. The opinion of this book, is my own and I was not paid or compensated for for my review.

Review: Trouble In Store by Carol Cox

Trouble In Store
Author - Carol Cox
350 pages
Time It Took for to Read - 2 Days
Rating - 4 out of 5 Stars
Would I Recommend to My Students: YesFired from her most recent governess position, Melanie Ross must embrace her last resort: the Arizona mercantile she inherited from her cousin. But Caleb Nelson is positive he inherited the mercantile, and he's not about to let some obstinate woman with newfangled ideas mess up all he's worked for. He's determined to get Melanie married off as soon as possible, and luckily there are plenty of single men in town quite interested in taking her off his hands.

The problem is, Caleb soon realizes he doesn't want her to marry up with any of them. He's drawn to Melanie more every day, and he has to admit some of her ideas for the store unexpectedly offer positive results.

But someone doesn't want the store to succeed, and what used to be just threatening words has escalated into deliberate destruction and lurkers in the night. When a body shows up on the mercantile steps--and the man obviously didn't die from natural causes--things really get dangerous. Can Melanie and Caleb's business--and romance--survive the trouble that's about to come their way?

What I Loved...Funny, suspenseful, romantic and thrilling. That's a lot to incorporate into one book but Carol Cox does so wonderfully.

I love the heroine Melanie. She is too much! She is well written.

What I Liked...All of the other characters are so well written. I hate when I find myself disliking one the characters that I should normally  like (Amazingly it happens more than I care to admit), but I didn't find that with Trouble In Store. All of the characters are appealing, even the not so nice ones!

The mystery plot was great and Carol had me guessing all the way to the end.Other...I liked the book well enough but admit that I am sucker for a boatload of swoon and while I did get some, I just wanted more. Believe me that there is probably enough for most, but that is what I LOVE LOVE LOVE and could probably never get enough. Having said that, if Carol would have added as much swoon worthy tidbits as I prefer, the book wouldn't be published yet. I can't complain too much because the suspense and thrills kept me going through the book well enough.

ACReview: Into The Whirlwind by Elizabeth Camden

Into The Whirlwind
Author - Elizabeth Camden
384 pages
Time It Took for to Read - 1 Day
Rating - 5 out of 5 Stars
Would I Recommend to My Students: YesAfter her father's death, Mollie Knox takes over his watchmaking company and uses her head for business to solidify the good name of the 57th Illinois Watch Company. Her future looks bright until the night her beloved city is destroyed in the legendary Great Chicago Fire. With her world crumbling around her, Molly must do whatever it takes to save her company in the aftermath of the devastating fire.

Zack Kazmarek is an influential attorney with powerful ties to the political, mercantile, and ethnic roots of Chicago. His only weakness is Mollie Knox, a woman who has always been just beyond his reach. However, all bets are off after the fire destroys Chicago, and Mollie is in desperate need of assistance. Just as Zack finally begins to pursue the woman he loves, competition arises in the form of a hero from her past who can provide the help she needs to rise from the ashes.

While Mollie struggles to rebuild, the two men battle for her heart. One has always loved her, but the other has the power to save her. In the race to rebuild the city, can she survive with her business and her heart intact?

What I Loved...Zack. I love the depth of his emotions! Very swoon worthy. I love history and the inclusion of actual history (Chicago Fire) took this book to another level for me. Elizabeth Camden did an excellent job making me feel like I was right in the thick of it.

What I Liked...
They way I unexpectedly cried, laughed, got nervous, angry and felt butterflies in my tummy. The story and characters crept into my heart and I felt like I was right there with them.

The cover of the book is really nice and fitting.Other...I felt the Christianity in this book was way, way in the background. I am not complaining or praising. I just thought I'd mention it for those who like the Christianity to be more present in a book.

Review: King by R.J. Larson

King
Author - R.J. Larson
348 pages
Time It Took for to Read - 3 Days
Rating - 4 out of 5 Stars
Would I Recommend to My Students: YepAkabe of Siphra is certain his people are insane.

Why have they made him a king?

What, in the name of peacetime boredom do kings do?

Frustrated by a lengthy silence from his Creator, the Infinite, Akabe decides to prove himself as king by undertaking a monumental task, his own lifelong dream: Rebuild the Infinite’s temple in Siphra.

But Akabe’s impulsive decision sweeps him into a storm of controversy. The Infinite’s enemies join forces in Siphra, and beyond, conspiring to destroy the emerging temple—and to kill their king and his mysterious new queen.

What I Loved...
While 90% of the books I read are Christian related in some way, I rarely find one that speaks directly to me individually. This book  absolutely did that for me. I found myself wanting to just be closer to God and allow Him to lead me even more in my life like many of the characters. Awesome job by the author.Akabe's character is so easy to relate to.  How many of are probably doing what we think is right but not following God's will for our lives. It made the story so much more real for me.What I Liked...
Barth Siymont. I could totally see him "flirting" with the ladies at court. While he was used like most children are in movies and books, to soften up scenes and add some humor,  I found him funny and liking his character. I hope to see him in a future book. =)Other...
I liked most characters in the book except Queen whatshername. I can't even remember her name...that's how much I liked her. SPOILER ALERT...I found myself wishing she would somehow get killed when she ran off from her imprisonment. She annoyed me to no end and I absolutely couldn't stand that Akabe married her. SPOILER END
The word Infinite as it related to God bothered me. I just didn't like it. It almost felt like idol worship. They described my God and I know that is who Infinite was, but I just couldn't get into it.
While I liked Akabe well enough (he reminded me a little of King David) I felt like Ela and Kien's story was dominate and was written more powerfully. By the end of the book I was more interested in their storyline and wished I had read Prophet and Judge before this book.
I would recommend this book to my students that enjoy books like Robin Hood and Knight inspired books.

Review: Undeniably Yours

Undeniably Yours
Author - Becky Wade
380 pages
Time It Took for to Read - 3 Days
Rating - 4 out of 5 Stars
Would I Recommend to My Students:MaybeWhen Meg Cole’s father dies unexpectedly, she becomes the majority shareholder of his oil company and the single inheritor of his fortune. Though Meg is soft-spoken and tenderhearted–more interested in art than in oil–she’s forced to return home to Texas and to Whispering Creek Ranch to take up the reins of her father’s empire.

The last thing she has the patience or the sanity to deal with? Her father’s thoroughbred racehorse farm. She gives its manager, Bo Porter, six months to close the place down.

Bo’s determined to resent the woman who’s decided to rob him of his dream. But instead of anger, Meg evokes within him a profound desire to protect. The more time he spends with her, the more he longs to overcome every obstacle that separates them–her wealth, his unworthiness, her family’s outrage–and earn the right to love her.

But just when Meg begins to realize that Bo might be the one thing on the ranch worth keeping, their fragile bond is viciously broken by a force from Meg’s past. Can their love–and their belief that God can work through every circumstance–survive?
What I Loved...Lots of swoon-worthy bits!! I love feeling the torture of love just outside your grasp and this book provides it.

What I Liked...Bo is a dream and is a good leading male character.Other... I couldn't help but think of the show Dallas when I read this book. That's not a good or bad, unless you love or hate the show! Either way, it is a good book and its worth a read if you love a book for its romance.

If you like guys fights and heroes, than this is definitely a book for you.

Disclaimer: This book was provided by the publisher through NetGalley. The opinion of this book, is my own and I was not paid or compensated for for my review.

Top Ten Freebie! Best Character Names - May 28th

Top Ten Freebie! May 28th
Best Character Names


1. Bilbo Baggins - Best name ever!2. Huckleberry Finn - My daughter just asked me "What is a Hucklberry Finn?"3. Willy Wonka - As a teenager/YA I cracked up thinking about the name4. Captain Frederick Wentworth - I love the name Wentworth. It makes me feel so British.5. Eliza Doolittle - It's just fun to say.6.Romeo - His last name isn't even needed for everyone to know I am referring to Romeo Montague7. Ebenezer Scrooge - my revised version - Ebenezer "Old Geezer" Scrooge8. Anna Karenina - Na na na na na na na na Hey Hey Hey. Goodbye!9. Hamlet - reminds me of breakfast.10. Hester Prynne - she sounds like the EXACT opposite of who she was.

Captives by Jill Williamson Blog Tour

  Captives
Author - Jill Williamson
415 pages
Time It Took for to Read - 3 Days
Rating - 5 out of 5 Stars
Would I Recommend to My Students: Absolutely!!!
When eighteen-year-old Levi returned from Denver City with his latest scavenged finds, he never imagined he’d find his village of Glenrock decimated, loved ones killed, and many—including his fiancée, Jem–taken captive. Levi is determined to rescue what remains of his people, even if it means entering the Safe Lands, a walled city that seems anything but safe.Omar knows he betrayed his brother by sending him away, but helping the enforcers was necessary. Living off the land and clinging to an outdated religion holds his village back. The Safe Land has protected people since the plague decimated the world generations ago … and its rulers have promised power and wealth beyond Omar’s dreams.Meanwhile, their brother Mason has been granted a position inside the Safe Lands, and may be able to use his captivity to save not only his people, but also find a cure for the virus that threatens everyone inside the Safe Lands.Can Mason uncover the truth hidden behind the Safe Land’s façade before it’s too late?
About The AuthorJill Williamson is an author of all things weird. She grew up in Alaska with no electricity, an outhouse, and a lot of mosquitoes. Her Blood of Kings trilogy won two Christy Awards, and she recently released Captives, a dystopian teen novel from Zonderkidz. Jill lives in Oregon with her husband and two children and a whole lot of deer.
What I Loved...The inspiration for this book is great and opened my mind to dig deeper into the lives and people that shaped the bible. It is clever! I felt like a Captive.
I loved Mason! I felt myself drawn most to him.
The book is a great mix of adventure, hilarity, love and suspense.
Jordan! He was a riot. I warmed up to him once in the Safe Lands.

What I Liked...The creativity of the Sim Art and other technology. 
The small details like the slang...it helped me feel like I was there.
While some may think that the use of vapor and promiscuity may have seemed surprising, I didn't. We live in that world now and it would only make sense that the future would hold more of the same but in a "new" way. Again very creative.
Other...I don't like Ciddah. There! I said it. I just can't help it. 
I am not a Dystopian reader usually, BUT Jill has opened up my mind to branch out in my reading selections. I love how this book idea was derived from a bible study and am looking into using this book for my bible study class.






Check out other reviews for CaptivesADD Librarian • Blooming with Books • Bookworm Reading • Chris Kolmorgen • Christian Book Review Blog • Christian Bookshelf Reviews • CTF Devourer • Emily Rachelle Writes • Heavenward Reviews • Jessica Laurie • Labor Not in Vain • The Life of a Teenage Writer • The Maniacal Bookworm • Mrs. Southern Bride • Oh, Restless Bird • Pages from My Journal • The Pen and Parchment • Rachelle Rea • The Ramblings of a Young Author • Realm of Hearts • Shadow Writer World • A Simple Life, Really?! • Surrendering All of Me • Terri Harr • Verbosity Book Reviews • Who YA Reading? • Worthy2Read • The Writings of Rosie 
DISCLAIMER: A free ebook was given through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. My opinion is my own and I have not been compensated for my opinion in any way.

The Revised Life of Ellie Sweet Review and Giveaway

eBook Giveaway
  The Revised Life of Ellie Sweet
Author - Stephanie Morrill
250 pages
Time It Took for to Read - 1 Days
Rating - 5 out of 5 Stars
Would I Recommend to My Students: YES!!!Ellie Sweet is a lot of things—good girl, novelist, silent adorer of the new boy at school, Palmer. But when “outcast” gets added to the list, she decides it’s time to take reality into her own hands … and tweak it as needed.
In the pages of her book, she’s Lady Gabrielle, favorite of the medieval Italian court. Her once-friends are reduced to catty ladies-in-waiting, and the too-charming Palmer—who in real life never spares her a second word—gets to be nothing more than a rake wracked by unrequited love for her. She even has a perfect real-life villain in the brooding Chase, who hails from the wrong side of town.But just when she’s getting along great in her fictional world, the real one throws her a few curves. With Chase pursuing her, Palmer wanting to date her—but in secret—and the details of her manuscript going public, Ellie suddenly receives more attention than she ever really wanted. And when her former-friends discover what she’s been writing, they’re determined to teach Ellie a lesson about the severe consequences of using her pen as her sword.

What I Liked...I found myself going back and forth between Chase and Palmer. BUT I have to be truthful to myself. I like Chase, but I can't deny that I feel bad for him too. Palmer is jerk BUT I like him...alot. I found myself routing for him at the end. But then again, I always find myself rooting for the underdog (which he was at the end).


Other...I didn't care too much for the Mommy and daughter shopping spree. I liked that she ended up comfortable in her original entire. While I can't say that I necessarily agree with her choice of dating boys who don't share her beliefs and I am hoping thatStephanie is setting us up for a wonderful resolution to this.

All in all, I give this book 5 stars. I really loved it! My NEW favorite book of 2013 thus far.

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Blooming with Books • Gillian Adams • Jill Williamson • The Life of a Teenage Writer • Once Upon an Inkling • Pages from My Journal • Rachelle Rea • The Ramblings of a Young Author • Shadow Writer World • Who YA Reading? • The Writings of Rosie • Worthy2Read
DISCLAIMER: This eBook was provided for free in exchange for an honest review. The review is my own opinion and I was not compensated for my opinion.

The Revised Life of Ellie Sweet Giveaway

eBook Giveaway

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