True Colors by Kristin Hannah

Title: True Colors
Series: None
Author(s): Kristin Hannah
Genre: Fiction, Women's Fiction
Publisher: St. Martin's Press
Received from: Bought for book club and will be given away for free.
Release Date: February 3, 2009
Finished: January 2010
Pages: 528
Challenges: None
Rating:










My Thoughts: Three sisters, Winona, Aurora and Vivi Anne, are as different as people can be. Vivi Anne starts seeing someone that Winona is falling for, but she never tells Vivi Anne so this causes discord among them. Luke, the guy involved with Vivi Anne, has really fallen for her and wants her hand in marriage, but Vivi Anne then falls for new farm hand Dallas Raintree. Through out their lives, each sister has her ups and down, but they remain family even if sometimes they wish they weren't.

I enjoyed this one. I especially liked the younger sister, Viva Anne, her romance with Dallas Raintree and later the introduction to their son, Noah. Author Kristin Hannah has a way with evolving the characters and bringing them to life.

About the Author: Kristen Hannah wrote her first while pregnant with her first child. She has written a total of 16 now. Visit her website at http://kristinhannah.com

The Memory Keeper's Daughter by Kim Edwards

Title: The Memory Keeper's Daughter
Series: None
Author(s): Kim Edwards
Genre: Fiction
Publisher: Penguin
Received From: Bought for book club and will be given away for free.
Release Date: May 30, 2006
Finished: January 2010
Pages: 432
Challenges: None
Rating:








My Thoughts: Dr. Henry and his wife are expecting their first child. Little do they know that they are going to have twins. The doctor ends up delivering his own children, one baby boy and one baby girl with downs syndrome. He gives up the girl to be raised in a special hospital where they can take care of her better, but tells his wife her daughter died. The nurse he puts in charge of the baby ends up falling in love with the little bundle and keeps her. Throughout the years, each family deals with the decisions they made.

This was only OK for me. I feel like I have seen this on the Lifetime Movie Network, and it was hard to find characters to relate with. Everyone seemed to be holding grudges against each other.

About the Author: Kim Edwards has written two books, The Memory Keeper's Daughter and Secrets Of The Fire King. Check out her website at http://www.memorykeepersdaughter.com/

Weekly Geeks - Author Fun Facts - Chris D'Lacey

Weekly Geeks is a event that happens every Saturday go to WeeklyGeeks.com to participate

This week’s theme is: fun facts about authors.

How to:

1. Choose a writer you like.
2. Using resources such as Wikipedia, the author’s website, whatever you can find, make a list of interesting facts about the author.
3. Post your fun facts list in your blog, maybe with a photo of the writer, a collage of his or her books, whatever you want.
4. Come sign the Mr Linky below with the url to your fun facts post.
5. As you run into (or deliberately seek out) other Weekly Geeks’ lists, add links to your post for authors you like or authors you think your readers are interested in.

Chris D'Lacey

1. a) He has written many books for children but is best know for The Last Dragon Series (He is holding the first book in that series above, Fire Within)

b) When he started writing he wrote a 250,000 word story about polar bears to be given to his wife for Christmas.

c) The ceramic dragons mentioned in The Last Dragon were made by Mrs. Pennykettle in the book. In real life Mrs. Pennykettle is based on a real woman who does make ceramic dragons. (One dragon is in the picture above)

I Learned A New Word Today ... Genocide by Elizabeth Hankins

Title: I Learned A New Word Today ... Genocide
Series: None
Author(s): Elizabeth Hankins
Genre: Young Adult, History
Publisher: Key Publishing House, Inc.
Received from: Author for free for review, and will be given away for free.
Release Date: October 16, 2009
Finished: January 2010
Pages: 150
Challenges: None
Rating:










My Thoughts: A young boy, Javier, writes in his journal about what he is learning about in school ... genocide. He learns it is a horrible thing and he wants to do something to stop it from happening.

The author, Elizabeth Hankins, takes a chance on writing a book about genocide for children. I knew a little about genocide like the Holocaust, but not much about the more recent genocides. I was afraid when I opened the book that it would go into great in detail about the killings and would end up gory. But it is mostly a book with facts, history and others' thoughts on what age is the right age to start talking about such horrible things.

About the Author: Elizabeth Hankins is the author of two books, The Calling and I Learned A New Word Today...Genocide. Check out her books and links at http://www.elizabethhankins.com

The Adventures of Snip in Oregon by Betty S. Moir

Title: The Adventures of Snip in Oregon
Series: None
Author(s): Betty S. Moir
Genre: Children's Picture Book
Publisher: BookSurge Publishing
Received from: Author for free for review, and will be given away for free.
Release Date: December 29, 2008
Finished: November 2009
Pages: 42
Challenges: None
Rating:










My Thoughts: The Moir family just moved back to the states after living over seas. They get a dog, Snip, who is loving, fluffy and vocal. He likes helping with the kids chores, riding in the car and protecting the family from curious vermin.

Although the story is a little wordy, reading about Snip ordering around ("helping") the children with their chores on the farm is endearing.


About the Author: Betty S. Moir is a mother of three. This is her first book.

Signed Book Giveaway - The Adventures Of Snip In Oregon by Betty S. Moir

SIGNED BOOK GIVEAWAY!

For the month of February we have a story about the Moir family and their loving dog Snip.
If you would like to see what I think check out my review.
The book is signed by author Betty S. Moir.

This Giveaway is open to all.
To enter into the Giveaway all you have to do is post in the comments that you are interested in this book AND PLEASE LEAVE A EMAIL SO I MAY CONTACT YOU.

Giveaway Ends Saturday February 27th 2010.

Winner of The Rabbit And The Snowman by Sally O. Lee

And the Winner is number: 23





Ladytink_534 said... I'd love to give this to my two-year-old nephew-in-law Hunter.

I hope Hunter enjoys it!


THANK YOU FOR EVERYONE WHO TRIED!

What Should I Read Next?

Here's the thing I have about 4 tall piles of books one is almost over my head. Yes, this is my TBR Mt. Most of the books are stuff that I picked to read, the ARCs I recieve go else where. So the 4 piles are not really new books.

I was hoping that you could help me decide what to read next after I finish The Ankh of Isis by Christine Norris.


So here are the four choices. Click on each book cover to see summaries at goodreads.com :

A. Rachel Secret by BJ Hoff
B. Dead Until Dark by Charlaine Harris
C. Dragonspell by Donita K. Paul
D. The Romanov Bride by Robert Alexander


Write in the comments below what letter you would pick (A - D)

P.S. I want to thank the person who bought 25 books of The Heroes of Googley Woogley by Dalton James, last month from our affiliate store with Amazon.com. It made my day to know that someone decided to buy it after reading my review or maybe they just stumbled upon my site and bought. Either way I thank you!

Call Me Kate: Meeting the Molly Maguires by Molly Roe

Title: Call Me Kate: Meeting the Molly Maguires
Series: None
Author(s): Molly Roe
Genre: Young Adult, Historical Fiction
Publisher: Tribute Books
Release Date: November 24, 2008
Finished: January 2010
Pages: 168
Challenges: None
Rating:










My Thoughts: In 1862, a young Pennsylvania girl named Kate McCafferty stops going to school after her father is injured working in the coal mines. Now she has to be the bread winner and gets a job in another town as a maid. Soon she hears about how awful the coal miners are being treated and begins posing as a boy in the Molly Maguires, an rough underground Irish group who tried to improve the coal miners lot. Will she get caught, or will the coal miners get the benefits?

I was attracted to this book because my family comes from coal miners in the same area where young Kate lived. There are some family rumors that my great great grandfather was in the group, but that is another story. I thought this book seemed well researched. As I read, I felt as if I was in the story.

About the Author: Molly Roe is a jr. high school teacher. This is her first book in a trilogy of historical fiction.

Teaser Tuesdays - The Ankh Of Isis

Event takes place at Should be reading every Tuesday.



My Teaser:
"They took the liver, stomach, intestines and brain and put them all in jars, called canopic jars. Most of the ones I've seen are very beautiful, and expensive. ..."

Tink, North Of Neverland by Kiki Thorpe

Title: Tink, North of Neverland
Series: Disney's Fairies
Author(s): Kiki Thorpe
Genre: Children's Chapter Book
Publisher: A Stepping Stone Book
Release Date: August 14, 2007
Finished: January 2010
Pages: 112
Challenges: None
Rating:












My Thoughts: Here is the second Disney Fairies chapter book about Tinkerbell. In this one, Tink is hanging out with fellow fairy Terrance. Another fairy finds a unique treasure in Neverland, a compass. Tink decides to fix it. and as Terrance helps the best way he knows how, he ends up ruining other things in Tink's room. Tink gets so mad she tells Terrance to leave her alone. Terrance takes this to heart and stays away from her. Tink, realizing that she was too hard on Terrance, wants to find the perfect present to say she is sorry. Adventure, here comes Tink!

I thought this one was cute. I especially like the way fairies say they are sorry. Only clumsies (humans) say the actual words, "I am sorry." Fairies say, "I'd fly backwards if I could.". Most of the Disney Fairies books have a lesson they teach, but I am not quite sure what this one was.

About the Author: Kiki Thorpe has written almost 100 children's books. Most of them are Disney characters or Nickolodean, like Dora the Explorer.

Weekly Geeks( Haiti) and more

To my recollection I have not read any books about Haiti. Nor have I read any by someone from Haiti. So to remedy that fact I decided to check out books about or take place in Haiti. After checking out places like Goodreads.com and PaperbackSwap.com. I found at least three books that interested me. The first one, "Josephine's 'Magination: A Tale of Haiti" by Arnold Dobrin, was a childrens' picture book and was available for swap. The other two, "Anacaona: Golden Flower (The Royal Diaries)" and "The Magic Orange Tree : and Other Haitian Folktales", are on my wish list. So that two children books and one folklore book.


I have drawn a picture of a child that could be of Haiti holding a blanket around herself. On the blanket there is a heart and in the heart is the image that can be found on the Haitian flag.

The Tutu Ballet by Sally O, Lee

Title: The Tutu Ballet
Series: None
Author(s): Sally O. Lee
Genre: Children's Picture Book
Publisher: BookSurge Publishing
Release Date: September 5, 2008
Finished: December 2009
Pages: 32
Challenges: None
Rating:










My Thoughts: In Ms. Berry's ballet class there are a few joyful girls who have favorite ballet moves. Each one of them has a move that they just love to do. Ms. Berry creates a show that lets the children perform each of their moves.

Cute for any aspiring ballerina. Girls will love the dancing animals in their pretty tutus. Sally O. Lee creates some of the most adorable books.

About the Author: Sally O. Lee creates her own books and illustrates them. Visit her site at http://www.leepublishing.net/.

The Turkey Treat by Marie Sanderlin Metroke

Title: The Turkey Treat
Series: None
Author(s): Marie Sanderlin Metroke
Genre: Children's Picture Book
Publisher: Outskirts Press
Release Date: April 22, 2009
Finished: December 2009
Pages: 24
Challenges: None
Rating:









My Thoughts: Jeff Watson wants a Turkey for Christmas. Dad, Mom and Jeff stop at the food market, and low and behold, there is a live turkey. Jeff tries to capture it, but the bird ends up biting him and gets away. As they both run amok through the market, there may not be a Christmas turkey at all.

I was a little confuzzled to see a live turkey in a supermarket, but I figure it's a kids book, so I'll go with it. I can see the little ones laughing at the chaos.

About the Author: Marie Sanderlin Metroke is the author, but I couldn't find too much about her. This seems like the only book she's written.

The Sneakiest Pirates by Dalton James

Title: The Sneakiest Pirates
Series: None
Author(s): Dalton James
Genre: Children's Picture Book
Publisher: Outskirts Press
Release Date: May 17, 2008
Finished: December 2009
Pages: 20
Challenges: None
Rating:










My Thoughts: The father and son team is just returning from performing the greatest rock concert, and now they are pirates. They follow Peg Leg Chuck as he takes his treasure to an island. After Peg Leg Chuck leaves, father and son, Pirate Pete and Scurvy James, steal the treasure, get back on there ship and continue their adventures.

Kids are great at creating stories, and this kid author has become one of my favorites. I can't wait to see what he comes up with next.

About the Author: Dalton James is the author of three books. No website yet.