Book Review: Safe Haven by Nicholas Sparks

I have enjoyed many of Nicholas Sparks' books. Although I get tired of the sexual scenes often found in his novels, they are mostly sweet and romantic. And the movies made from them are often satisfying if at times a little racy.

Safe Haven was a little bit of a departure for Sparks. The main plot included his usual romance, but there was also a good suspense that made the book even more of a satisfying read. Since I like books with suspense, I became quite engrossed.

Here is the description of the book from the author's website:

"When a mysterious young woman named Katie appears in the small North Carolina town of Southport, her sudden arrival raises questions about her past. Beautiful yet self-effacing, Katie seems determined to avoid forming personal ties until a series of events draws her into two reluctant relationships: one with Alex, a widowed store owner with a kind heart and two young children; and another with her plainspoken single neighbor, Jo. Despite her reservations, Katie slowly begins to let down her guard, putting down roots in the close-knit community and becoming increasingly attached to Alex and his family.

But even as Katie begins to fall in love, she struggles with the dark secret that still haunts and terrifies her . . . a past that set her on a fearful, shattering journey across the country, to the sheltered oasis of Southport. With Jo’s empathic and stubborn support, Katie eventually realizes that she must choose between a life of transient safety and one of riskier rewards . . . and that in the darkest hour, love is the only true safe haven."

Yes, I believe Mr. Sparks is as talented with suspense as he is with romance. And I think this book would make a very exciting movie. I recommend it to anyone who likes this kind of novel.

I give Safe Haven 5 out of 5 stars.

(Sorry, FTC, this one was also a library checkout!)

Book Review: The Confession by John Grisham

I have not read all of John Grisham's books, but I have read all the ones that are about law and lawyers. I didn't want to read the ones that had football in them, and I started A Painted House, but couldn't finish. The other two that I have read are Skipping Christmas (FUNNY!), and The Innocent Man (non-fiction). So I consider myself a fan of Grisham even though I have bypassed a few. I was excited to hear about a new one, especially when I read the synopsis:

"An innocent man is about to be executed.

Only a guilty man can save him.

For every innocent man sent to prison, there is a guilty one left on the outside. He doesn’t understand how the police and prosecutors got the wrong man, and he certainly doesn’t care. He just can’t believe his good luck. Time passes and he realizes that the mistake will not be corrected: the authorities believe in their case and are determined to get a conviction. He may even watch the trial of the person wrongly accused of his crime. He is relieved when the verdict is guilty. He laughs when the police and prosecutors congratulate themselves. He is content to allow an innocent person to go to prison, to serve hard time, even to be executed.

Travis Boyette is such a man. In 1998, in the small East Texas city of Sloan, he abducted, raped, and strangled a popular high school cheerleader. He buried her body so that it would never be found, then watched in amazement as police and prosecutors arrested and convicted Donté Drumm, a local football star, and marched him off to death row.

Now nine years have passed. Travis has just been paroled in Kansas for a different crime; Donté is four days away from his execution. Travis suffers from an inoperable brain tumor. For the first time in his miserable life, he decides to do what’s right and confess.

But how can a guilty man convince lawyers, judges, and politicians that they’re about to execute an innocent man?"

And, yes, it was as good of a plot as it sounds. The only thing I have against the book is the arguments against the death penaly found throughout the book and almost spoiling an interesting and entertaining plot. I say "almost", because in spite of himself, Mr. Grisham delivers yet another intriguing novel about our not-so-perfect legal system and predjudicial society. But, I felt like I was reading The Innocent Man all over again.

I used to live just "down the road" from the area used as the book's setting and I can say he hit the nail on the head when describing that area and its people. I was reminded several times when reading this book about my years spent in good ol' East Texas.

I would recommend this book to all Grisham fans (and non-Grisham fans who might like a good legal novel) providing you can read around the sermonettes and enjoy the story.

I give The Confession 4 out of 5 stars.

Here is the TV spot for The Confession:

And if you want to see Mr. Grisham talk about his book, go here to see an interview by Borders.

(I checked this one out of the library, so no need to bother the FTC this time!)

Book Review: Exposure by Brandilyn Collins

Exposure - Brandilyn Collins

Publisher: Zondervan, 2009

ISBN: 978-0-310-27643-2

Pages: 268

Genre: Christian Suspense

Have you ever had the feeling that someone was following you? Or watching you? I have. I have quite an overactive imagination, and I have often imagined someone following me, perhaps in a parking lot, or in a bus station. Or maybe someone would be listening in on a private conversation I was having. Several times I have gone a different way home because I thought maybe the driver in the car behind me was following me home.

I know, I know, I seem very paranoid, but I also know that those things do happen to people sometimes. I'd rather think of myself as cautious and realistic. Better safe than sorry, right?

Well, I have to say that I was on the edge of my seat with this book. The main character, Kaycee Raye was being stalked and the things that happened to her were terrifying. She saw pictures of a dead man in various places and then when she would call the police, the pictures would be gone. Then she starts smelling blood and hearing strange noises. Was she going crazy?

The book also contains Mafia characters, a missing 9-year-old girl, a bank robbery, and seven million dollars. Oh, yes, and a little romance, too. All combined to make a great plot that kept my interest to the very end.

This is a thrilling psychological suspense that you will not want to miss! Thank you, Mrs. Collins!

I give Exposure 5 out of 5 stars.

(I checked this book out from the library, so the FTC can ignore this review!)

Book Review: Immanuel's Veins by Ted Dekker

I don't know if I have mentioned this yet on this blog, but I am a writer. I have written several short stories and articles and have been published about four or five times. I have often thought about writing fiction that depicts the Gospel in a way that is meaningful to the reader without straying from biblical truth. I want my writing to glorify God, and to think about writing an allegory that speaks of God's love and redemption of man has excited me, but it also has caused me to keep the story in my head and not put it on paper for fear of misrepresenting the Truth.

I believe Ted Dekker has come very close to doing what I have feared to do. He has taken the Gospel story and placed it in the time of castles, queens, knights, and swords. He has shown us, as a great story does, what happens when man faces evil and what happens when loves conquers all. This, to me, is one of Mr. Dekker's best works.


The year: 1772. The place: Moldavia. The main characters: Toma and Alek, soldiers sent by Catherine the Great to guard and protect two sisters, Lucine and Natasha. They are challenged by a Russian by the name of Vlad van Valerik and his minions, Stefan, Sofia, and Simion. Here is how the plot is described on the back cover of the book:

"It is a dangerous tale of times past. A torrid love story full of deep seduction. A story of terrible longing and bold sacrifice.


Then as now, evil begins its courtship cloaked in light. And the heart embraces what it should flee. Forgetting it once had a truer lover.

With a kiss, evil will ravage body, soul, and mind. Yet there remains hope, because the heart knows no bounds.

Love will prove greater than lust. Sacrifice will overcome seduction. And blood will flow.

Because the battle for the heart is always violently opposed. For those desperate to drink deep from this fountain of life, enter.

But remember, not everyone is for this story."

If you like books that will challenge, stir and maybe even change you, then you will like Immanuel's Veins. I know I did.

I give Immanuel's Veins 5 out of 5 stars.

Published by Thomas Nelson Publishers, September, 2010.

(I checked this book out of the local library to read and review. No need to say anything else.)

WWW Wednesdays

WWW Wednesdays is a meme from Should Be Reading, where we answer three questions: What are you currently reading? What did you recently finish reading? and What do you think you'll read next? If you want to participate, answer the three questions, then put your link on the Should Be Reading Blog in the comment section. Happy reading!



What I am currently reading: Orange is the New Black by Piper Kerman- I am reading this for the summer reading program at my local library. It is a non-fiction book about the experiences of the author in a federal prison in Connecticut.








What I recently finished reading: A Love of Her Own by Maggie Brendan- I got this one from Revell Books. I will be reviewing it on this blog sometime this week.









What I'll probably read next: Little Bee by Chris Cleave- another one I am reading for the library summer reading program. I have heard so much good about this book, I just had to read it!







What are you reading? Are you enjoying it? Tell me about your favorites so far this year so I can add them to my TBR list!

"You May Have Missed" Mondays

It's Monday again, and time for another post on books you may have missed.

I was thinking about my childhood and books I read when I was young. I'd like to share a few with you today.

I remember one of the things I loved to read was Encyclopedia Brown. He was so amazing to me because he could solve any mystery that came his way. I enjoyed trying to figure out the case before he did (sometimes I succeeded). I think I secretly wanted to be a detective when I grew up. And I also liked the fact that he could go anywhere he wanted and do anything he wanted. His parents seemed to me to be so cool. After all, his dad was the police chief. How cool is that?

My mother used to take my sister and me to the library every Saturday. I could pick out ten books to take home (Ten? Oh, really, Mom, you know I can read more than ten in one week!). One of the first places I would go was to the section of Beverly Cleary books. I could really identify with Ramona, the Pest (if my sister is reading this, I'm sure she would agree). And Henry and Beezus or Henry and Ribsy were also quite good reads.   

Another children's author that comes to mind that I enjoyed was Carolyn Haywood. There was Eddie, Betsy, Annie Pat, Penny and Peter, and of course, Taffy and Melissa Molasses. (I just love saying that: "Taffy and Melissa Molasses." Rolls right off the tongue.) Mrs. Haywood's books were full of clean, happy fun. And I could read them over and over (which I probably did, since I could check out only ten every week!).  

 

Well, I could mention many more, but I'll save those for another time. If you have a young reader in your life, I would suggest you introduce them to these quality books. They will love them!

To find more suggestions for great summer reading, take a look at Semicolon's blog. She has given us lots of ideas for what to read while the heat is on!

What about you? What did you like to read as a child? What books would you recommend to a young reader that have been published prior to 2009? Let us know in the comments.

Book Review: The Lost Summer of Louisa May Alcott

I read The Lost Summer of Louisa May Alcott at the request of a fellow blogger. She asked me to read it first to let her know if she should read it as well. So, it is with fear and trepidation that I submit this review. I actually don't know if I recommend it or not. I cannot say I LOVED it, but there was nothing in it that was especially objectionable or disagreeable (except, perhaps, the love scene in the middle of the book). I think I will let other bloggers say what I cannot seem to say about the book, then let you know where I agree or disagree.

Where I agree:

Lovely Little Shelf said: "I did read it fairly quickly and enjoyed it for what it was: a historical fiction version of brain candy. I didn’t have to think to read this and the story didn’t get me wrapped up. It was one of those books that I enjoyed while I read it and didn’t give it a minute’s thought when the book wasn’t in my hand."

Devourer of Books said: "I have to say, her father drove me crazy! Idealism is one thing, but he didn’t seem to have even a modicum of practicality."

Mrs O'Dell Reads said: "The love story was a little predictable, and the Louisa May Alcott character felt slightly one-dimensional. Fiery, temper-driven, myopic in her drive, this Louisa not only plays against assumptions about the woman behind the story but also reduces her to an archetype.


While it is not complex or probing, The Lost Summer of Louisa May Alcott is a nice, light read — perfect for the beach or an afternoon on the porch."

Where I disagree:

Life in the Thumb said: "There wasn't a flawed moment in this story. It was seamless, perfect, and convincing."

Luxury Reading said: "Though Joseph Singer was not a real person in Louisa's life, he felt incredibly warm and real to me; his pain and anguish at losing the love of his life was extremely authentic."

I think I would give this one 3 stars out of five. Good, but not wonderful for me.


So, there you are. For whatever it's worth.

(I checked this book out of the local library.)

Support Your Local Library!

Since I work in a library, and I practically grew up in one (my mom would take my sister and me to the library every week), I think it's only natural I would join a challenge to read more library books. I came across this challenge yesterday and I decided to join. Of course, I already read lots of library books, but this way I can keep track of just how many I do read over the course of one year. You can follow my progress on the challenge page (tab at the top of the blog). And, if you want to join us, click here to sign up.

Next week is National Library Week! In order to celebrate (and to add even more titles to my library reading challenge), I am going to read ONLY library books next week. I have way too many checked out right now, and my stack keeps getting higher and higher!

Are you celebrating National Library Week? Is your library planning anything special? What can you do to support your local library next week (and the weeks, months, etc. to follow)?

Join me in celebrating! After all, where would we be without libraries?