Category Archives: BOOK REVIEWS

She’s My Dad by Iolanthe Woulff

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Intriguing! Honest! Refreshing!

My first thought when I saw the high ratings for “She’s My Dad” was the author must have a lot of friends–the book cannot be that good.  And, even though I do review books I am happy to report that all the reviews are accurate.  There’s no fudging on this one.

“She’s My Dad” is not what I expected it to be.  It is not a journey of mismatched sour romances; nor it is a bShe's My Dad Coverook of soul searching, familiar movies, or transsexuals. Even though the book does have a transsexual person in it, it is not about the process or the whys and whatnots. It is a modern day allegory that shows the inside truth of people set in a northern Virginia college town.  The college openly accepts everyone through their doors who wants an education; but, there are some people who were bred in Southern tradition and are set about what they feel should be right and proper—and, they are not happy about Windfield College. And, they plan to do something about it.

This book is as fun as it is smart.  It is not written in the typical fifth-grade English that most novels today are. Actually, there are interesting words that pique one’s curiosity of how the characters interact with each other; however, not so many as to bog down the flow of the storyline. In addition to the intelligence of the book, it is witty, clever, and engaging—full of suspense and mystery.  Ms. Woulff has an amazing ability to paint the character portraits with incredible sharpness and clarity so you don’t lose sight of who is doing what.

What further surprised me was the interesting storyline.  I certainly was not expecting sub-plots that involved big ugly brutes and wealthy crime bosses who were involved in home-grown terrorism.  There are many interesting side stories that puzzle into the main characters’ lives and plot of the book.  Every one of them is clearly defined and is woven ever so carefully into the climax of the novel.  Normally, this type of literature (crime, guns, things that go boom, etc.) does not interest me; but, this was so well written I could not put it down.  The more I read, the h
ungrier I got.

Be forewarned that there are a few characters that use foul language occasionally; and, there are some scenes that are briefly sexual. That being aside, considering the sensitive nature of some of the material, I felt, it was handled with great care.

Overall, I absolutely loved the book!  Loved it!  The message it brings us is so important—so necessary, that I wish it were in every library, college, and bookstore in America.  Better than that—it really needs to be a movie.

Note: I’d like to thank both Iolanthe Woulff for this lovely copy of “She’s My Dad” and Review the Book.com for this opportunity.

SHE’S MY DAD at Amazon

  • File Size: 653 KB
  • Print Length: 471 pages
  • Page Numbers Source ISBN: 1432744054
  • Simultaneous Device Usage: Unlimited
  • Publisher: Outskirts Press, Inc. (November 13, 2009)
  • Sold by: Amazon Digital Services, Inc.
  • Language: English
  • ASIN: B0030EG3HW

Penny Necklace by Kathrine Grey

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Penny Necklace Cover

Oooh!  This was just like fine candy.  I so needed a break, a rest, a nice long train trip.  Clickity-clack. Clickity-clack.  The train runs down the track. . . .

I tried hard to parcel out this story.  You know . . . take a little time to enjoy and savor.  I did pretty well, too, until I got to the middle of the book.  Then, I couldn’t stop.  It was too much fun!  I had to eat up the rest of the whole story all at once.

This was a romance with a dream; a dream a 15-year old girl would have when she met a boy that drove her to distraction.  He was an older boy–just passing through town—decided to stay a while and woo a pretty young girl.  It was that summer that Aisley Sullivan fell in love with a boy who wouldn’t tell her his name; he just said, “Call me David.”  Little did she know she would be dreaming of that summer for most of her young adult life.

And, what was so good about this book, what it had that captured me–is that it was all believable.  It wasn’t the mushy, sappy type of romance that makes you either swoon or puke.  It was more nostalgic; the kind of story that brings sweet remembrances of a time long ago when your emotions are so strong and alive and everything is brilliant like the sun.  It kept reminding me of the risky things I did at that age, like having a boy/girl slumber party and everyone told their parents that they would be at their “friend’s” house for a sleep over.  It was dangerous and exciting—well, exciting back then . . . but all we did was play music, kiss, and everyone kept their clothes on.  We thought it was dangerous and exciting, though.

Somehow Katherine Grey knew what I did when I was a young girl of 15.  She knew how I felt, and how powerful a brand new love can be at that age. She’s managed to take me back there tonight and has put a smile on my face with her simple sweet story.

Thank you Katherine Grey and Review the Book for this complimentary copy of Penny Necklace. It was so nice to get away for a little bit. . . .

PENNY NECKLACE

  • File Size: 453 KB
  • Print Length: 215 pages
  • Page Numbers Source ISBN: 1477655123
  • Publisher: Kathrine Grey (June 24, 2012)
  • Sold by: Amazon Digital Services, Inc.
  • Language: English
  • ASIN: B008EKVRTQ

♥-♥ ♥ About Kathrine Grey ♥-♥ ♥

Kathrine Grey holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Fiction Writing from Columbia College Chicago. All of her story titles are contrived from R.E.M. lyrics (ever more avowed since their disbandment). When she is not writing, she manages a popular Italian restaurant near Lake Michigan. She is graciously allowed to live in Mishawaka with her husband and their kitten by the two adorable bunnies who rule the house.

Facebook.com/PennyNecklaceNovel

https://twitter.com/KathrineGrey

Full Circle by Brenda Barrett

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Full Cirle Book Cover A funny, romantic, suspenseful, mystery–that won’t disappoint.

This book is addictive. The author is witty, smart, and cunning in how she draws you in. And even though you think you know what is going to happen throughout the book, is that “really” what is going to happen? I haven’t been able to put it down, and I’m really eager to find out the answer. Here is a brief beginning to the story.

Is it ever enough to grow up in a loving, financially stable home when you know your birth mother gave you away? You remember her. She was very pretty and wore her hair in a long braid. You remember five of your brothers and sisters; the other two were gone by the time you were born. Even though there was never enough food or money, there was love there; and that is truly the place you remember as home–your beginning.

Diana Boyd’s grandmother told her not to go back to Jamaica. She warned her! She said she would only get hurt digging all that mess back up. Twenty-four year old Diana waved her off explaining her need to find her own history–her own story. So she went.

At the airport, intent on her mission, fate intervened–the most handsome, tall man with gorgeous green eyes approached her. Oh why now . . . she thought. This is no time for a romance; I’ve got to find out about my family. But, as intent as she was she could not shake him, or even the thought of him. She’d never felt like this before about anyone she’d met. He was so good looking and those eyes of his were so penetrating her energy just drained out her toes and was replaced with a delicious, warm sense of well-being. She just melted when she thought of him and the reasons why she shouldn’t just faded away.

Little did she know that Robert Cassidy was so close in Negril, Jamaica. Little did she know what this two month vacation was going to bring to both of them. The passion, the romance, the unanswered questions of Diana’s family and home all bring to life a story full of love, fun, fear, and mystery.

Sit back, grab a snack, and get ready for a trip to Jamaica.

*Full Circle” was a complimentary gift from the author in exchange for an honest review.

Full Circle

  • File Size: 609 KB
  • Print Length: 172 pages
  • Publisher: Jamaica Treasures (December 12, 2013)
  • Sold by: Amazon Digital Services, Inc.
  • Language: English
  • ASIN: B0062CGNF6

The River Witch by Kimberly Brock

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The River Witch—Thoroughly Enjoyable!

The River Witch is a love story. . . .
The River Witch

Not a love story in the conventional sense; but it’s the story about the love of lost things, new things, things not known, and things learned. It’s a love story of life, living and, of a young girl and her family on an island off the coast of Georgia. It’s the story of a learned renewal of spirit when a dancer loses everything she has known and counted on in life. It’s a story you will want to read. . . .Not a love story in the conventional sense; but, it’s a story you will want to read. . . .

Roslyn Byrne, after an accident, secludes herself on an island off the coast of Georgia to heal from not only her physical wounds, but her emotional ones as well. She will never dance again. She will never star in a famous dance company. She will never be able to count on the one thing she knows best–ballet. Or will she?

Damascus is a ten-year-old who has lived more than a young life should have at her age. She runs wild most of the time on the island. Her father doesn’t know what to do with her since the loss of his wife; and he too, is trying to figure out for himself the whys and reasons that come with a deep, despairing grief. That leaves little time to be there for a young girl who reminds him so much of the thing he is grieving most.

The River Witch is a novel flavored with bits of voodoo, alligators that tell tales, and magical summer days that teach what it means to be alive and how to live and love again. Why not join them in their quest . . . ?

 

THE RIVER WITCH 

  • File Size: 493 KB
  • Print Length: 246 pages
  • Publisher: Bell Bridge Books (April 6, 2012)
  • Sold by: Amazon Digital Services, Inc.
  • Language: English
  • ASIN: B007W5B8NY