Mindy

Night Sky by Jolene B. Perry – Blog Tour

Posted by Mindy Book Reviews

Mar 072012

Night Sky

Author: Jolene B. Perry Twitter / Facebook

Publisher: Tribute Books Twitter / Facebook

Published: March 1, 2012

ISBN: 9780983741862
ISBN: 9781466052338

eBook: 247 pages

FTC FYI: Review copy

Reviewed by Mindy

Goodreads Summary: “Girl I’ve loved, girl I’m falling for. Now that they’re both in view, the problem is clear.

After losing Sarah, the friend he’s loved, to some other guy, Jameson meets Sky. Her Native American roots, fluid movements, and need for brutal honesty become addictive fast. This is good. Jameson needs distraction – his dad leaves for another woman, his mom’s walking around like a zombie, and Sarah’s new boyfriend can’t keep his hands off of her.

As he spends time with Sky and learns about her village, her totems, and her friends with drums – she’s way more than distraction. Jameson’s falling for her fast.

But Sky’s need for honesty somehow doesn’t extend to her life story – and Jameson just may need more than his new girl to keep him distracted from the disaster of his senior year.”

Jameson is having a bad night. He doesn’t have the courage to tell his best friend Sarah how he feels about her. He loves her, and has for years. Now it’s too late, she’s with Eric now. Jameson leaves the school dance and takes the bus down the Vegas strip to see his parents. They both work at a Casino and work odd hours. Jameson doesn’t mind the hours, though. It works for their family. He finds them, gets a sympathy talk from his mom and she gives him the keys the Porsche to drive home. Even though he is down and out, there’s nothing like driving his dad’s Porsche. On his way, he has to pass by his neighborhood to head south, all the while blasting his 90’s grunge music. Then he sees her. A beautiful girl with a tank top, flip flops and long black hair. Jameson can’t believe his bravery when he asks her if she needs a ride. The girl is lost and Jameson offers to help her, because he lives close. Turns out she’s staying with her grandparents while she attends college, and her house is down from Jameson’s. They talk and flirt. Her name is Sky, and right away Jameson is hooked. Sky has a request from Jameson right from the start of their friendship, total honesty.

Jameson is a great character. I liked how the guy in a story this time is “the good kid”. He’s on the swim team, gets good grades, and has his head on straight (about most things). Sky comes in to his life and helps him with his still lingering feelings for Sarah. Other things come up for him and as they are getting to know each other, Jameson finds Sky is holding back some truths. Which is frustrating for him because of the her “honesty” rule.

I really liked this book. 4 out of 5 stars. Jolene is such an amazing author. She has a way of writing so smoothly and effortlessly. Jolene is also the author of The Next Door Boys which I loved! It was nominated for a 2011 Whitney Award. Knee Deep is an upcoming book from her as well.

Content

There is language and sexual situations. While the characters don’t have sex, Sky does spend the night, and there are descriptions of Jameson’s thoughts towards Sky.

I was so excited to be a part of this Blog Tour. Jolene is my friend, and I want to spread the word about her awesome books. Jolene grew up in Wasilla, Alaska. She graduated from Southern Utah University with a degree in political science and French, which she used to teach math to middle schoolers.

After living in Washington, Utah and Las Vegas, she now resides in Alaska with her husband, and two children. Aside from writing, Jolene sews, plays the guitar, sings when forced, and spends as much time outside as possible.

SMASHWORDS / AMAZON / NOOK / PDF

On the Fringe by Courtney King Walker

Posted by Mindy Book Reviews, Mindy's Reviews

Feb 292012

On the Fringe

Author: Courtney King Walker

Publisher: Lands Atlantic Publishing

Published: 2011

Paperback: 272 pages

IBSN: 978-0-9825005-5-2

FTC FYI: I received a free copy which did not affect my review

Reviewed by Mindy

Goodreads summary: Claire is struggling to overcome the murder of her childhood friend and secret crush, Daniel. Everyone else seems to be moving on with their lives, but she’s still trying to cope. The fact that she finds herself alone and drowning on her 16th birthday isn’t helping.

Neither is thinking she sees Daniel’s face in murky water as she mysteriously resurfaces. But something happened during those four and a half minutes that will make her realize it was not just her imagination.

As Claire and Daniel try to grasp a possible reconnection, other grudge-holding beings have plans of their own. Now, the two of them have to decide if their fleeting relationship is worth the possibility of Claire being trapped on the fringe forever.

Beautifully told, On the Fringe intertwines fresh ideas about devotion, revenge, and the consequences that come with life and death.”

Right when Claire and Daniel are starting to realize they like each other, Daniel is killed in shooting. They have known each other for years, and Claire is best friends with Daniel’s sister, Addie. While Daniel is best friends with Matthew, Claire’s brother. In the beginning of the book, you get to know the characters and be with them for some of their escapades.

I love the way this book is written. It is told in Claire’s and Daniel’s perspective, and a bit in flashback form. Very clever, and written well. This book was so enjoyable and the characters were engaging. My favorite was Daniel. I felt myself cheering for Claire and Daniel even though… oops, I can’t tell you all that. You will have to read this entertaining book to find out all the fun secrets. It was very intense in some scenes, and spooky too. There is someone out there on the fringe who wants to hurt Claire, and they need to find out why.

4 out of 5 stars. Find out more about the author here. Follow Courtney on Twitter on Facebook.

BARNES AND NOBLE / AMAZON

Crater Lake: Battle for Wizard Island by Steve Westover – Blog Tour

Posted by Mindy Blog Tours, Mindy's Reviews

Feb 222012

Crater Lake: Battle for Wizard Island

Author: Steve Westover

Publisher: Cedar Fort

Published: March 13, 2012

Hardcover: 256 pages

FTC FYI: I received a PDF copy in exchange for an honest review

Genre: Middle grade fiction

Reviewed by Mindy

Goodreads Summary: While visiting his crazy Uncle Bart at Crater Lake National Park, thirteen-year-old Ethan’s world collapses when all the adults at Crater Lake disappear, including his parents. Now Ethan must rally his new friends and decipher the legends of Crater Lake to find the key to rescuing his parents from their earthen prison before he’s captured too and their captivity becomes permanent.

Ethan is visiting Crater Lake with his parents and sister. After they get the “rules” and story about the legend of Crater Lake from “crazy” Uncle Bart, they decide to go on a walk along the trails. A young couple, a boy scout troop, and another family with a daughter Ethan thinks is pretty, are doing the same thing. Suddenly vines trap the young couple, make them disappear, and the ground sucks up Ethan’s and Allie’s parents. Leaving all the kids younger then 16 alone. Including two of the boys, Jacob and Brady, from the boy scout troop. After, they are approached by Che-tan a magical being who tells them he needs their help to keep an ancient, evil spirit captive. He also can help them free their parents and the other’s trapped.

I really enjoyed this book. It is a great adventure story that I can suggest to my daughters without any hesitation. I also think adults will like this as much as I did. I loved how the kids work together. Jacob was a favorite. Always thinking quickly to help in tough situations. There are a lot of twists and turns everyone will enjoy.

4 out of 5 stars. Learn more about the author here. This book will be available soon!

BARNES AND NOBLE / AMAZON

Olivia by Julie Wright

Posted by Mindy Book Reviews, Mindy's Reviews

Feb 212012

Olivia

Author: Julie Wright

Publisher: Covenant

Published: February 2012

Softcover: 211 pages

Part of the Newport Ladies Book Club Series

FTC FYI: I received a free copy in exchange for an honest review.

Reviewed by Mindy

Goodreads Summary: The Robbins household looks perfect from the outside: no dust, no stains, no wrinkles. Yet a glimpse into its heart reveals no laughter, no closeness, no joy. Olivia thinks that if she keeps everything tidy and serves delicious meals on time, family life is bound to get better. But when her husband, Nick, misses their anniversary, she realizes no amount of domestic success will compensate for failure in their marriage, or for her own failure to develop her identity, always busy as a mother, wife, and neighbor, she has forgotten how to be a unique and vibrant individual. Determined to make a change, Olivia joins a local book club, where she nurtures new friendships and explores new ideas. But her growing confidence falters when Nick declares his independence, and while her new friends lovingly encircle her with support, only Olivia can reach into the depths of her fledgling self to find the faith, hope, and love her troubled family needs.

After her disappointing anniversary dinner, Olivia tries to put it behind her. Nick doesn’t even acknowledge their anniversary even passed. Out running errands one day she sees a flyer taped to a door.

Looking for serious readers to join the Newport Ladies Book Club. Women only! Eating and good conversation! Space limited.

Olivia thinks of all the things that she needs to do. Soccer games, schedules, dry cleaner runs, grocery shopping, school functions, Junior League meetings. The list goes on and on. Thinking of all that makes her tired. Even the thought of her own lonely home makes her hurt. After much inward discussion, Olivia decides to join the book club. Meanwhile, her family life doesn’t improve. Nick is still standoffish, and his silence is deafening. Olivia wishes she knew what was wrong with him. Nick was married before. His two children from “The Ex”, Jessica and Kohl, feel his separation too. Jessica is trying to plan a going away party for Kohl, who joined the marines to pay for college. He is being sent to Africa. Nick doesn’t want anything to do with him, Livvy wants to figure out why. But it could cost Livvy her marriage.

Nick calls Livvy “The Giving Tree”. Giving and giving until there is nothing left. She calls him on that, and says he is the boy in the story. Who takes all he can. Nick also teases her about finding new friends. Making her feel more hesitant and insecure. Book club changes all that for Livvy. It gives her confidence and courage.

I loved this book. I loved loved Livvy. She is too funny sometimes. She talks to herself and always hears her mother’s words in her head. I loved how she decides to do what she wants anyway, without Nick, to show her kids that life goes on. And that’s not just joining the book club. They go on picnics to the beach together, and do things the family hasn’t done in years. I liked how flashbacks were used subtly. I felt they never took me away from the story, and kept the current situation in my mind. I was very proud of the woman that Livvy was at the end. I loved (wow, saying that a lot) the other ladies in the book club too. Especially Ruby. I just wanted to give her a hug. Each woman became a force in the book club, and they all grow to love each other. Realizing that they need other too.

I’m excited for the other stories to be told in the series. Daisy by Josi S. Kilpack comes out in June 2012.

4 1/2 out of 5 stars. Olivia is a must read for Julie Wright fans. She does an amazing job with each character. The story is told so beautifully, I didn’t want it to end. When I did get there, I loved how Olivia’s story finishes. So well written.

Find out more about The Newport Ladies Book Club here. Follow Julie Wright on Facebook and Twitter.

BARNES AND NOBLE / AMAZON / SEAGULL / DESERET BOOK

And the winner is…

Posted by Mindy Book Reviews

Feb 182012

Thank you to all who entered. The winner was chosen by random.org with my daughter as a witness :)

And the winner of With a Name Like Love by Tess Hilmo is…

Allison S.

I will give your email address to the author. Thanks again to Tess for donating her amazing book.

Have a great weekend everyone!

With a Name Like Love by Tess Hilmo

Posted by Mindy Book Reviews, Mindy's Reviews

Feb 152012

With a Name Like Love CONTEST DETAILS BELOW

Author: Tess Hilmo

Publisher: Margaret Ferguson Books

Published: 2011

Hardcover: 249 pages

ISBN: 978-0-374-38465-4

FTC FYI: I received a free copy which did not affect my review.

Reviewed by Mindy

TESS IS GIVING AWAY A COPY OF WITH A NAME LIKE LOVE. DETAILS AFTER REVIEW!

Goodreads summary: When Ollie’s daddy, the Reverend Everlasting Love, pulls their travel trailer into Binder to lead a three-day revival, Ollie knows that this town will be like all the others they visit— it is exactly the kind of nothing Ollie has come to expect. But on their first day in town, Ollie meets Jimmy Koppel, whose mother is in jail for murdering his father. Jimmy insists that his mother is innocent, and Ollie believes him. Still, even if Ollie convinces her daddy to stay in town, how can two kids free a grown woman who has signed a confession? Ollie’s longing for a friend and her daddy’s penchant for searching out lost souls prove to be a formidable force in this tiny town where everyone seems bent on judging and jailing without a trial.”

Ollie travels around the South with her Reverend Father, Mother, and four sisters. Ollie is the oldest. It is July, 1957. The Love family travels around the South in their trailer from town to town. The Reverend preaches for a few days, then the family moves on to the next town. Ollie would love nothing more then to have a house with a mailbox, telephone and refrigerator. This is what Ollie thinks of the town.

Binder was a pitiful place, worn thin from years of want. It was exactly like all the other towns her daddy dragged them through. It was exsactly the kind of nothing Ollie had com to expect.

Except, maybe, for that boy

Ollie takes her sister, Ellen with her to pass out fliers. On their way around town, Ollie sees an orange something in the poplars. When she tries to sneak up on it, there’s nothing there. The girls arrive at a store and right away come to know that strangers aren’t welcome. On the way out of the shop, Ollie sees the orange again. It belongs to a boy. Ollie invites him to hear her daddy that night, and to bring his family. He says he can’t bring them. His pa is in the cemetery and his mama is in jail for his murder.

This book was darling. I loved the relationship between the Love family. They are a family that would do anything for each other. Even Martha, who was a bit feisty. I don’t want to give too much of this sweet story away, but the family decides to stay in town to try to help Jimmy find out who murdered his pa. He was not a good man, and had many enemies. Ollie was, of course, my favorite. There was another character that touched my heart, Mrs. Mahoney. She was such an amazing example of unconditional kindness and love. Jimmy was a favorite too. His story will touch your heart.

4 1/2 stars out of 5. With a Name Like Love is finalist for 2010 Whitney Award in the YA general category. This truly is a great story of friendship and love of a family. Find out more about Tess Hilmo here. Follow Tess on Facebook.

BARNES AND NOBLE / AMAZON

Tess Hilmo is given away a copy of With a Name Like Love. Leave a thoughtful comment, telling me something you love most about your family. Contest ends Friday night at midnight MST. Winner announced Saturday. Good Luck! US ONLY.

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