cvillepublib.org - Book Reviews

	Local Reach ...... Global Touch This page is dedicated to book reviews by our CPL patrons. If you would like to give us a review of a book that you have read, please email us at jduvall@cvillepublib.org or drop by the front desk at the library and pick up a form. We also have some book reviews on YouTube. Check them out. Mayflower Adventure by Colleen L Reece Midnight Ride of Paul Revere by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow Clara Barton: Courage under fire by Geoffe Benge ***************
	Paths of Glory by Jeffery Archer Really good! I'd recommend it! It is based on true story. I loved the character of George Mallory. A man with a dream of climbing Mt. Everest. Reviewed by Bev ***************
	The Thirteen Reasons Why by Jay Asher A must Read! A girl sent a boy by the name of Clay some tapes and gave him the thirteen reasons why she committed suicide a couple of weeks before. Gave me the chills. Reviewed by Ryan ***************
	Three Weeks to Say Goodbye by C. J. Box Really good! I'd recommend it! The book is about an young couple who are unable to conceive a child, decide to adopt. All is well until the birth father along with great grandfather enters the scene. They very mysteriously decide they want the baby and are giving the couple 3 weeks to turn over the baby. Even though the birth father does not show any interest whatsoever in being a dad. I especially disliked the sadness of the story, however it was necessary to the storyline. Reviewed by Tim ***************
	Girls in Paris: The 3rd summer of the sisterhood of the traveling pants by Ann Brashares A must Read! 4 friends together have a pair of magic pants. They have been passed back and forth for the the last two years. They have all written something on them. They are all getting ready to head off to college. They are worried about all of the changes that is going to happen. The are worried about leaving each other. Lena is still with Kostos. I loved the part when they are exchanging the pants back and forth and they write stuff on them. Review by Rebecca ***************
	Centurion's Wife By Davis Bunn & Janette Oke Really good! I'd recommend it! This is the first book in the Series of Faith. A sweeping sage of the dramatic events surrounding the birth of Christiany. A very personal story of Leah, compelled into a betrothal she never wanted, drawn by a faith she never expected when her family wealth and power were lost. A death and the missing body of an obscure rabbi compel Leah and Alban, the centerion to search for answers, what they discover changes everything. ***************
	Jinxed by Carol Higgins Clark Really Good! I'd recommend it! Regan Reilly & her boyfirend Jack tour the California wine country. Their last stop, Altered States Vineyard & Spa is run by hippies. Jack is recalled back to NY to work a case. Back at her office Regan receives a call from one of the owners of Altered State. She needs Regan to find her daughter, Freshness so that they can go to their Aunt's wedding & collect 8 million dollars. Unfortunatel,y Freshness is taking a "go with the flow" weekend and won't be back until last Sunday, too late for the millions. As Regan hunts for the daughter, so does the Aunt's much younger fiancee', who took an acting class in NY with Freshenss and who Freshness can idenitify as a con man who preys on elderly women. The first 4 chapters dragged on endlessly, after that it rolled right along with short chapters & character switches that keep your attention. Reviewed by Margaret ***************
	Twanged by Carol Higgins Clark It's worth reading! Regan Reilly's neighbor's cousin is an up & coming Country/Western singer who has started receiving hate mail. To pay for her vacation, Regan becomes the singer's bodyguard. The story involves death threats, "accidental" drowing and several involved plots later, Regan saves the day Reviewed by Margaret ***************
	Toxin by Robin Cook A must Read! A top cardiac surgeon by the name of Dr. Kim Regis, whose only daughter, Becky becomes very ill from e.coli poisoning from her favorite fast food place. I like the ending, it left me going on how it would end if it was me. ***************
	Prayers for Sale by Sandra Dallas Really good! I'd recommend it! Quilts are like lives. They're made up of a lot of little pieces. So too, is this story of two women, an old and one a new bride. Set in the depression, it tells the ending of one life and all trials and the beginning of a new one. The two of them are brought together by quilts and stories. These two women develop a deep and meaningful friendship. The only thing I disliked about it was that like all stories it has to come to an end. Reviewed by Joy ***************
	The Prince Kidnaps a Bride by Christina Dodd Really good! I'd recommend it! Princess Sorcha was hidden away in a convent to protect her from assassins. Ten years later, danger has caught up to her. She leaves the convent & travel to Edinburgh with a fisherman as her only escort who is her bethrothed, Prince Raiger, in disguise. Assassins wait along the road and the only way that he can protect her from her own newly freed impulses is to marry her. Then, she finds out that he is not who she thought him to be. Only a truly romatic gesture (offering his life for hers) will bring them together again. It was funnty and romantic, a little haunting at times. Reviewed by Marg ***************
	In the Stormy Red Sky by David Drake Really good! I'd recommend it! Capt. Daniel Leary of the royal Cinnabar Navy is on a diplomatic mission, escorting a senator to restore failing ties with a protected world. On the way, they come across information of illegal use of military personnel during wartime. When diplomacy sours & news of the massacre of a fleet of RCN ships is thrown in their faces they decide to use a little creative justice to balance the scales & win not one, but three planets back to the side of the RCN. As one of my favoite authors says: Whe you have one problem, you really have a promble, However, when you have multiple problems, one problem often solves another. These certainly do! Reviewed by Maggie ***************
	Finger Lickin' Fifteen by Janet Evanovich A must Read!! Celebrity chef Stanley Chipotle comes to Trenton to participate in a barbecue cook-off and loses his head---literally. I just love Stephanie Plum & Lula. I just flat-out love these women and their job as bail-bonds women. Reviewed by Sheila ***************
	Wife for Hire by Janet Evanovich Really good! I'd recommend it! This book is about a woman who decides on her 27th birthday to quit her job & write a book. She has no husband or children, just a cat. She answers an ad from a man looking for a temporary wife. They are both sure that they will get what they want & go their separate ways. But it doesn't turn out the they planned. The story is very funny & believable. I've always enjoyed Janet Evanovich's sense of humor & her take on life. I like that it was fast-paced & the story line wasn't too far from reality. ***************
	The love song of J. Edgar Hoover by Kinky Friedman It's worth reading! A country music singer/ songwriter turned private eye who with the help of an extremely eclectic group of friends goes in search of a missing husband, to find that his friend McGoverns (the world's biggest Irishman) hallucinations and memories of his friend. "Leaning Jesus" might also be connected to his investigations. The author has a sardonic irreverent style and an use of words and various quotes from everyone from Sherlock Holmes to Emily Dickenson. A quick lively read with more plot twists than a mountain road. Reviewed by Tom ***************
	Hallowed Bones by Carolyn Haines Really good! I'd recommend it! A lady detective who talks to ghosts and sees them. I love the way the lady detective managed to keep going on from one item to another like a friend, lover, slightly crazy lady believing in ghosts and it still meshing into a very interesting and fun to read story Reviewed by Elizabeth ***************
	Bad Moon Rising by Sherrilyn Kenyon Really Good! I'd recommend it! Fang is a werewolf. He goes into a bar wanting a beer & ends up longing for bear.... werebear to be exact. Aimee is the only daughter of her clan, they own sancutary. Bad things are about to happen. Can they save each other? Fans of Sherrilyn Kenyon will appreciate this book which takes us from the first meeting of Fang & Aimee through several other stories & to a happy ending. Reviewed by Margaret ***************
	A Girl Named Zippy by Haven Kimmel A must read! Growing up in small-town America. Zippy (the title character) was the youngest child in what would be called by some-what dysfunctional family. Her mother spent much of her day between the pages of books (and lots of them!) She did very little of what a typical "house wife" in the 1970s did. She did not clean, no mention ever made of cooking and she seemed disconnected from her children. Zippy's father was an absent a good time but wen he was home was a very strong influence in Zippy's life. Zippy (a nickname) was a free spirit. She delat with her parents, her siblings and her home town with a wary exuberance.. Each chapter is it's own little story-complete with a snapshot on the first page. This book is an enjoyable experience. It is both funny and sad and extremely easy to read. ***************
	Gideon's Gift by Karen Kingsbury I'd give this book a must read to help renew your faith in God This book is about a little girl named Gideon, a homeless guy named, Earl and DJ (who takes care of a homeles feeding shelter). Earl lost his wife and daughter in a vehicle accident, when it was hit by another vehicle. He tried to live his life one day at a time but soon lost all will to live, left his family and went homeless by accident. Gideon was a little who had leukemia and needed a bone marrow transplant. DJ took care of the homeless shelter where they would go to get something to eat. He hleped get Gideon and Earl together Earl lost all faith in God and Christmas. Through a gift (pair of red gloves - you'll need read this part yourself) he gets his faith back. The surprise ending -- you'll definitely need to read the book because it is the best part of the book. It is the part I really liked. Review by Mary ***************
	Life Expectancy by Dean Koontz Really good! I'd recommend it! A man destined to have 5 horrible days in his life & manages to escape each one only to wait & prepare for the next one. On the way he learns who he is. I liked how in each situation he found a clever way out of it. How the book leads you in one direction and then turns the tables. I dislike the revelation of how the bad guys were tied into his life. Review by Sonya ***************
	Lord of the Beasts by Susan Krinard Don't bother It's about a half-fane, half-mortal that can talk to animals. He meets a girl named Ivy that is also half-fane, but neither Donal nor Ivy that. Later they meet a woman who is human, Cordelia wants to help Ivy become a "lady". Of course, they met and live happily ever after or whatever. I didn't like it becuase it never go interesting, ever. On a scale of 1 to 10, I would give it .05 Reviewed by Renae ***************
	The Fairy Godmother by Mercedes Lackey A must read!! A girl that should have been Cinderella that becomes an apprentice to a fairy godmother. She has to lean to use magic and the traditions of fairy tales to help her own happily everafter. I liked the way they give a reason fairy tales happen the way they do. I loved the humor in the the entire book. The only thing I disliked is that there is only 3 book to this series. Review by Alysia ***************
	Seasons of Heaven by Beverly LaHaye & Terri Blackstock Really good! I'd recommend them! This is a great tale of a group of families that live on a cul-de-sac in a typical small town. The friends are at different "season" in their lives, young mother of toddlers, a retired mother experiencing the "empty nest", a middle aged single mom of teenagers, and a middle aged family that homeschools. The friends experience real-life problems similar to ones we might face in our own lives. The uplifting story thread is that they remain friends through hard times and experience spirtual growth as they each face their own test of faith. I loved the stories and would highly recommend these books. It is a series of four. Reviewed by Susan ***************
	Back to school murders by Leslie Meiers It's worth reading There is a murder at the beginning of the school year. It is the fourth book in the Lucy Stone Mystery series. She is your average housewife, trying to get everything done and always getting involved in everyone's life. There are many twists, turns and unexpected surprises. There is a bomb at the grade school, a rescue of a handicapped boy and an assistant principal murder. Do they tie in together? of course--just tyring to figure out how adds to the enjoyment of the book. The book is an easy read. It keeps you entertained and guessing. Reviewed by Kay ***************
	You suck by Christopher Moore Really Good! I'd recommend it! It's about two young kids becoming vampires in this age. I love the fast pace of this book plus it's very funny! ***************
	Why I fight by J Adams Oaks It's worth reading An young kid who goes to live with his uncle but he stays at his girlfriend's house instead. His uncle finds out he can fight so he starts fighting for money. I especially liked when he wrestled with the pig. It was not as good as I thought it would be. Reviewed by Taylor ***************
	Final Warning: A maximum Ride Novel by James Patterson Really good! I'd recommend it! Maximum Ride is a normal teenager (with wings), the result of a mad science experiment. She and the rest of her flock have been asked to help study global warming. It seems perfect adventure, activism, and escape from the bad guys. But even in Antarctica, the flock has to be on their guard. For whoever controls Max & the flock could also control the world. A very paced book. Easy reading, sacrcasm at it's best with moments of laugh-out-loud humor. It does however get a little preachy in the last chapter or two. There are a couple of "facts" that should been checked out more thoroughly, not taken straight from an "evils of beef" pamphlet. Reviewed by Margaret ***************
	Step on a Crack by James Patterson Really Good! I'd recommend it! The story is about a New York policeman whose wife has terminal cancer. He then has the additional stress of a hostage situcation. The sadness of a mother of many adopted children haveing terminal cancer wasn't good. Overall, the story is action packed, touching, and well-written Reviewed by Koren ***************
	Cemetery Dance by Douglas Preston & Lincoln Child Really Good! I'd recommend it! This book is about murder and Voodoo. It was wonderful and very exciting. It is best to read the others in the saga also. Reviewed by Vickie ***************
	Crown of the Realm by Dalton Reed A must read!! Young Derora Saxen wants to be a warrior. After leaving her home, Derora becomes a magnet for adventure, dragging her best friend, Kelin along with her. They find unexpected help an unspeakable horror as they accidently become involved in an anceint war between the elves and the chemmen, a race of men who have become immortal and evil. I especially liked that Derora is a very real 17 year old girl, who wants more out of life than is available in her isolated village. She is headstrong and gets into and out of trouble by facing it head on. The supporting characters are well drawn and the non human ones, especially the chemmen, are imaginatively created. The book reads quickly as Der goes from one action packed adventure to the next. You can read it online @ www.allthingsimpossible.com/story.html Reviewed by Jennifer ***************
	Vampire Armand by Anne Rice Really Good! I'd recommend it! A young boy learning how to be a new man and eventually a new vampire. I liked the fact that what he saw, one felt was extremely descriptive. Reviewed by Jessica ***************
	Sister's Choice by Emile Richards A must Read!!! Two sisters taht are estranged for several years - their parents are wealthy The father died and their mother bipolar. The oldest helps raise the younger one. Due to a cardjacking attempt that left the oldest unable to have a child. Jamie wanted to be a surrogate so they can have a child. They did ivtro & two eggs were developed. Jamie wante to live in a cabin with her two girls fathered by two different men. She had after 9 years of hitting bottom she went to First Choice, which changed her life. Jamie's life was changed going to the Shenandoah Valley. Watching a home being built that she designed for her sister & brother-in-law. Meeting Cash Rosalyn, the son of Manning Rosslynn, they build houses, etc. Attracted to him. meeting his grandmother, Grace. Getting involve with the Close families. Learning to quilt. Dealing with her sister's feeling about trusting her. This was a moving story that changed the lives of everyone. Jamie going through a difficult pregnancy. then learning she had breast cancer and deciding not to have the treatments until after labor. Cash had lost a wife due to illness and just kinda' drifted. There is so much more, but I don't want to tell the whole story. I just loved it. I loved how the valley came together to help one another. Two sisters reuniting and one making the choice of a lifetime. Reviewed by Laura ***************
	Beachcomber by Karen Robards It's worth reading! Christy is a lawyer who unknowingly works for the mob. To save herself and her fmaily she agrees to do a delivery job. Meanwhile a serial killer is on the loose. Someone is out ot kill Christy. Is it the mob or the serial killer? Sexy hunk FBI agent, Luke wants to find out too. Christy is more than just a case to him and he'll protect her at all costs. A twist at the end will keep you up at night to see what happens. ***************
	Fields of Grace by Kim Vogel Sawyer Really Good! I'd recommend it!! When Lillian and Reinhardt Vogt, two Mennoinite people decide to go to American, to avoid Russian orders that 18 year old males must enter military service. They move with their three sons and family friend. Tragedy strikes on the ocean crossing for Lillian. She must go on to Kansas alone. Many hardships and blessings await her. I really enjoyed the history that was involved in this book. Life on the Kansas plaines was hard, but those setters made due. I really enjoyed the characters and was very sad when all of them did not survivie the boat ride to America. Very likable character indeed. Reviewed by Crystal ***************
	Lucy the giant by Sherri L. Smith Really good! I'd recommend it A girl named Lucy that thinks she's alone (her father is a drunk). She finds a stray dog and names her Santa Barbara, but the dog dies of Parvo, so she runs away to a crab boat and lives to work there. I like this book because it's very unique in many different ways and it's just a very good book to read. Reviewed by Ja"Tajhia ***************
	Vampirates: Black Heart by Justin Somper The twins Conner & Grace. The two are separated at sea. One is becomes a member of the Vampirates and the other twin, a member of the Pirates. Black heart is number four in the series Piracy is awesome. This is a must read for the fans of piracy. Review by James ***************
	The Penny Pinchers Club by Sarah Strohmeyer It's worth reading A woman finds out after almost 20 years of marriage that her husband is having an affair and hiding money from her to have when he leaves her for his mistress. The woman decides to spend freely and sock away her stash anyway she has to! I liked the book because the woman took action instead of having a pity party! Reviewed by Julia ***************
	March Upcounty by David Weber & John Ringo A must Read! Prince Roger is a spoiled brat. Sent to show the flag on a planet that smells so bad you almost have to wear nose plugs, he walks across half the galaxy. Then his ship is sabotaged and they have to limp to the closest friendly planet. Which turns out it's not so friendly. An enemy goverment has taken over the planet (with the governor's help). Prince Roger and his guards have to sneak off the ship while the crew prepares to scuttle it (blow it up). They land on a plant so hostile that His Highness wished they had made it to Planet Smells-a-lot. Luckily there is more to Roger than a pretty face. He starts to grow up and grow a spine as they March UpCountry. The detailed explanations of tactics & how the different things work. Also, very vivid descriptions of places & poeple make you able to picture everything as cleary as a snapshot. I also like the way the Prince Roger character matures from a snotty brat into a person that might just be worth knowing and how he is integrated into the team of guards. Reviewed by Margaret ***************
	Phenomenon: everything you need to know about the paranormal by Sylvia Browne It's worth reading! It's about the A-2 compendium of all things on the "other side that influences our life here on earth". It also talks about things like the lost city of Atlantis, deja vu, ghosts, numerology and reincarnation. You must to have an opened mind through the whole book. I did like it though I really like the little stories she tells throughtout the book. It can kinda make you wonder if what some of this book isn't far from the turth. You really want to believe that you do live forever! Well, at least your soul. Don't read it if you don't like hearing things from the Holy Bible because she does talk about it quite often. Not in the bad way though. Just thought I'd throw that in there. BTW!!! Syliva Brown's book on pyshic children is even better. ***************
	The Way of The Wizard by Deepak Chopra This book is about how to improve your life by seeing things in a different perspective. The truth and logic in this book can only be determined by the reader. It's a good book but written in a way that some may not understand. ***************
	Dewey by Vicki Myron Really good! I'd recommended it! This is a heartwarming and true story about an extraordinary cat and the small town library that adopted him. It is also the inspiring story of the remarkable woman who was the librarian. This book reinforces all that makes small-town America a great place to live and work. I especially liked the way the author brought to life all the different pople in this book. You felt like you personally knew each one of them. Her description of Iowa and its inhabitants was very well done. This was a charming read, but also an on-target look at the problems facing small farming communities in our heartland. Reviewed by Sue ************* *************
	The Audacity of Hope by Barack Obama A must Read! Who, we the people really are. When we unite in hope and trust in the power and strength and goodness of America, we will flow together. Mr. Obama informs us of his values and principles so we can see the reasons behind his methods and strategies. Reviewed by Mike ***************
	Giraffe and a half By Shel Silverstein It's worth reading!! A wonderful poem for children and even adults ***************