Tuesday, October 15, 2013

MILE 21 BY SARAH DUNSTER

ABOUT THE BOOK:
“You have to be here. I can’t be on the premises without an owner or tenant present. Wouldn’t want to be accused of walking off with anything.” He looks around the kitchen. “Not that there’s anything here to tempt me.”
“You’re a jerk.”
Bob glances down at the photo again. “Will your husband be back soon?”
“He died a year ago. So, no.”
I gain immense satisfaction in seeing his cheeks darken a bit.
 
Abish Miller is a mess. But you might be too if you were a twenty-one-year-old widow with a dysfunctional family, an overpowering boss, and a torturous return to the singles’ scene. Training for the marathon she and her husband never got to run is about the only time she can forget about her problems.
But life won’t leave her alone. It throws Bob Hartley, a recently divorced young father, into her living room and then her ward. And when her irritation turns into attraction, she’s sure that it must be some sort of cosmic joke, especially when it seems he loathes her! Feeling like she just keeps hitting the wall, Abish must learn to push past her fears or she’ll never achieve her personal best.
Defined by sharp wit and an authentic voice, Mile 21 shows the despair of giving up on hope—and the joy of choosing it again.

In the beginning of Mile 21 Abish comes off as hard, sarcastic and irresponsible. As the story unfolded and I started learning what made Abish who she was. She is a 21 year old widow, everyone thinks she should be able to get past that and go on with life. Her mother seams like a harsh woman, her younger sister has practically perfect life, and she knows her father was against her getting married. Her boss seems like he would be difficult to work with.
When she is evicted from her apartment, her parents send her to live with her eccentric aunt. She runs away and ends up depending on her Boss to help her find school approved housing, and getting back in the single scene.
Abish is a runner and is training for a marathon, she can't seem to run more than 21 miles.
I enjoyed going on Abish's journey with her, and watching her grow and change and learn that there can be life after her husband died, and that her family loves her and her boss/ Bishop is not such a bad guy.
I recommend this to anyone, it decidedly LDS, but the story is one that everyone can relate to on some level.
You can buy Mile 21 by Sarah Dunster at www.amazon.com, www.deseretbook.com or www.barnesandnoble.com. Or check with your local library for inter library loan.
To learn more about Sarah Dunster CLICK HERE

Sunday, October 13, 2013

MIDDLE SCHOOL MAGIC PENUMBRAS by BRADEN BELL


ABOUT THE BOOK:
Conner, Lexa, and Melanie are back! Just when they think life is normal again, a dangerous shadow creature begins to hunt them. The trio must develop their powers in order to conquer this new peril and protect their school. Filled with action and even more magic, this book continues the exciting adventure in the Middle School Magic series.

I loved The Kindling ,so when I learned that Penumbras was soon to be released I was excited to read it, in hopes that it would be just as good as the 1st one was. I was not disappointed.
Penumbras is full of danger, suspense, drama, discovery, teenage angst and even a little romance, from page 1 to the cliffhanger at the end.
The kids are normal 13 year olds, with the exception of their Magi powers and the forces of dark are after them. They all discover talents they don't know they have, and can't control. They discover another mystery when they learn their friend Pilaf can hear head talk, even private conversations, and can see the shadow creatures.
Besides a battle between good and evil, there is a battle on the side between a jealous Lexa and Connor and Melanie, who have discovered like each other as more than friends. Lexa's flair for the dramatic makes things hard for everyone.
As in The Kindling the teachers are portrayed as intelligent and caring, and the parents are kept informed of what is happening in their children's lives and training.
Even though Penumbras is written for mid readers (9-13), I loved it, and I think most adults will love it too.

You can find Penumbras by Braden Bell at www.amazon.com in paperback and kindle and www.barnesandnoble,com both paperback and nook, or check with your local library for inter library loan.
To learn more about Braden Bell  CLICK HERE..

I received a free copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review.
No doubt, we will yet have Miltons and Shakespeares of our own. But such literary greatness will be achieved only by great souls. Our religion is capable of cultivating those great souls; and it shall.

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DISCLAIMER: I do not receive any money for my posts. I do however occasionally receive the review products at no charge to evaluate and express my opinion.

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