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review 2020-01-24 02:12
Ethan Marcus Stands Up by Michele Weber Hurwitz
Ethan Marcus Stands Up - Michele Weber Hurwitz

Audience: 3rd Grade & Up

Format: Hardcover/Library copy

 

The thing about this, and what I seriously don't get here, is that it was Ethan.

- first sentence

 

Ethan is a 7th grader who has difficulty sitting still in school all day. One day, during his last period (Language Arts), he stands up and refuses to sit down despite repeated warnings from his teacher. As a result, he receives two days of after school reflection (aka detention). This begins a series of events that ends with Ethan and his sister (Erin) both competing in the Invention Day fair. The story is told from 5 different points of view - Ethan, his best friend Brian, Erin, her best friend Zoe, and troublemaker Wesley (who may not be as bad as he seems). 

The story is a quick, easy read that is appropriate for kids even in 3rd grade - nothing too heavy or serious and a lot of humor will appeal to students who enjoy books like James Patterson’s Middle School series. 



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review 2019-01-27 20:07
[REVIEW] The Wicked King by Holly Black
The Wicked King - Holly Black

Right after finishing it
I don’t know how to rate this. I’m not sure if I loved it (which is possible because I swallowed it in less than 24 hours) or if I hated it (THAT ENDING WTF). I need to think.

 

Unpopular Opinion Time~
I'm more inclined to believe that I... hated it? Cardan (lbr the real reason I'm reading this) hardly interacts with Jude or even appears on the page. Nothing really happens so I ended up skimming big chunks

particularly when Jude is kidnapped and from what I can tell, I didn't really miss much.

(spoiler show)

Most of the issues between Jude and Cardan would be solved if they just TALKED. The big twist at the end just made me rage because it makes me think that in book 3 (which I will be reading because I clearly hate myself) Cardan and Jude will have even less time together. All of this to say that I ended up even more frustrated and with more questions than I expected.

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review 2018-08-08 22:14
Can He Save Her – Escaping Memories by Amanda Siegrist @amanda_siegrist
Escaping Memories - Amanda Siegrist

 

The cover for Escaping Memories by Amanda Siegrist is simple, yet poignant.

I love that it says so much with so little and the author is the creator.

 

Cover by Amanda Siegrist

 

Escaping Memories (Lucky Town #1)

 

Amazon  /  Goodreads

 

MY REVIEW

 

In the small town of Lucky, a young child of ten has been murdered and Sheriff Logan Caldwell will not take a badly needed vacation until it has been handled. Then, it’s off to his cabin in the woods. His place of tranquility. He needed some peace and quiet, some solitude. He walks in, only to find he is not alone.

 

There is a woman and she needs his help. She has no memories, amnesia. She doesn’t know how or why is she here, she just knows danger is out there and she’s not going anywhere.

 

Even with the characters fear coming through, Amanda Siegrist writes with humor and lightness.

 

The immediate hook is great, the story line predictable…but who is the bad guy? At 24%, have I met him yet? I don’t think so, and I do have my eyes wide open. It’s a very small town and I would think he is no stranger to the area. He took her, used and abused her, but somehow she managed to escape. In the back of my mind, a thought persists, will he get his hands on her again?

 

I love strong women in distress. There is a sweet innocence about her. She has been hurt, terrorized, a childlike woman who needs a protector to help her find her way back to herself. Her naivety and honesty comes through in Amanda Siegrist’s storytelling. Even though their relationship develops quickly, she makes it seem as if it is natural, easy, real, well you know, sort of real.

 

A subtle menace lurks in the background.

 

Logan is the man I would want to run into if I were in her situation. He is chivalrous. I find the word perfectly describes him. He will not hurt her or take advantage of her. He is patient, gentle, tender, loving, putting her first in all things.

 

The peripheral characters have important roles to play and their well developed personalities shine through.

 

Even though I tend to favor darker and grittier novels, Amanda Siegrist made it easy to get lost in Escaping Memories, with suspense and humor that kept me turning the pages. I didn’t always know where we were going, and I like that she kept me guessing. The characters were easy to relate to and drew me into their lives, wanting to know if everyone makes it out of this mess in a good way…except for the bad guy, of course. He needs his comeuppance.

 

I voluntarily reviewed a free copy of Escaping Memories by Amanda Siegrist.

Animated Animals. Pictures, Images and Photos 4 Stars

 

READ MORE HERE

 

MY AMANDA SIEGRIST REVIEWS

 

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review 2018-08-08 21:49
Do You Believe in Reincarnation – The Tempest Murders by P M Terrell @pmterrell
The Tempest Murders - P.M. Terrell

 

 

The Tempest Murders

 

Amazon  /  Audio  /  Goodreads

 

MY REVIEW

 

The girl of his dream walks into his life and turns his world upside down.

 

Sounds a bit cliche, but there is nothing cliche about P M Terrell’s ability to write a fantastic story in The Tempest Murders. She tweaks this suspense novel with touches of the paranormal…and maybe reincarnation?

 

Ryan had dreams of her ever since he could remember and now she walks into his life. He is more than haunted by his past. It’s as if he is reliving it.

 

I love his interaction with his sweet nieces and they love his cheesy rabbit dinner. It is touches like this that make her characters unforgettable. The twins immediately stole my heart. I could picture them in all their cuteness.

 

Man, oh man, this woman can write. There is a bigger mystery than mere murder and I eagerly anticipate her explanation. She is creeping me out, but the suspense and anticipation of what’s coming keeps me from putting the book down.

 

Category 5 Hurricane Irene is bearing down on them, but that is not the only storm brewing. Ryan struggles to keep the past from being repeated, but can he change Fate? What do you think?

 

I love the blend of serial killer, murder and mystery, with the paranormal and supernatural.

 

I voluntarily reviewed a free copy of The Tempest Murders by P M Terrell.

Animated Animals. Pictures, Images and Photos  4 Stars

 

READ MORE HERE

 

MY REVIEWS FOR P M TERRELL

 

  • You can see my Giveaways HERE.
  • You can see my Reviews HERE.
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  • If you like what you see, why don’t you follow me?
  • Leave your link in the comments and I wi
Source: www.fundinmental.com/do-you-believe-in-reincarnation-the-tempest-murders-by-p-m-terrell-pmterrell
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review 2018-05-14 16:44
Book #874 - 351,319 Pages Read
What Stands in a Storm: A True Story of Love and Resilience in the Worst Superstorm in History - Gillian Cross,Rick Bragg

I heard about this book from a podcast I listened to recently, entitled 'Tornado Talk'. I thought it sounded interesting and decided to give it a try. I was pleasantly surprised by one of the best books I've ever had the privilege of reading.

Slowly laying out a story that the author claimed "needed to be told", Ms. Cross has put together a book unlike any other I have read among similar genres. This book focuses on what has been called the worst tornado outbreak this country has ever experienced (4/27/11), surpassing even the infamous "Super Outbreak" (4/3/74). I was very, very impressed with the amount of research done, making the science understandable and basic, yet not oversimplified for laymen purposes as is found in so many other similar publications.

It is here that Ms. Cross begins to bring the human stories into the developing dangerous situation: a woman and her budding meteorologist-to-be son in Smithville, Mississippi; an experienced meteorologist in Birmingham who would spend literally all day in front of the cameras saving countless lives with his repeated warnings; college students in Tuscaloosa preparing in various ways for the worsening weather; a family in Cordova, Alabama frantically trying to survive. I bring these examples up because this may be the most ingenious way I've ever seen an author combine these stories with the scientific explanation of how that fateful day unfolded. The tension is palpable; the dread is real, and when the worst finally happens, the stories are really only beginning.

The second part of the book deals with the aftermath of the devastation. It is no less tense than the first part, but along with that it becomes literally, emotionally gut wrenching in parts. No spoilers, but I must mention the part of a particular search and rescue worker who volunteers her services along with her search dogs that literally had me bawling.

Whew.....Ms. Cross then does an outstanding job of slowly bringing hope back into the situation: descriptions of emergency rescue personnel along with other heroes, hundreds if not thousands of volunteers descending on Tuscaloosa to help any way they could, emotional reunions of victims with their rescuers, and people slowly getting on with their lives with hope for the future while dealing with the constant but receding pain.

Highly recommended....well done, Kim Cross, a truly magnificent effort.

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