Review: Twilight's Serenade by Tracie Peterson

Twilight's Serenade by Tracie Peterson

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


This last installment of the Song of Alaska series tells the story of Britta Lindquist. She has spent the past few years traveling and playing in an orchestra. She has just received a wonderful offer to be a part of a brand new orchestra, and a proposal of marriage. She is struggling to understand if this is really what she wants to do with her life, so she comes back home to Sitka, Alaska to think through her options and make her decision. Britta wants to know if she is finally over Yuri Belikov. But when she ends up caring for his two children not long after she has come home, she realizes quickly that her love for Yuri has never gone away. Will she be able to break down the walls Yuri has erected and will she be able to deal with the pain and heartache life throws her way?

Review: Crossing Oceans by Gina Holmes

Crossing Oceans by Gina Holmes

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


This is one of the best books I've read in a long time. It grabbed me from page one and held on tight. Be prepared with Kleenex though, it has its sad moments.

Although this one was already on my TBR list, the main reason I read it right now was because I saw a post on a blog I follow "The Overweight Bookshelf" and decided I'd join in the discussion for this month's book club. I am supposed to answer one of the discussion questions listed. I have chosen #3: "Was Jenny right to keep Isabella's existence a secret from David? How might things have been different if David had known about Isabella from the beginning?"


I don't think Jenny was right in keeping Isabella's existence a secret from David, but I understand why she did. I think if she had told him, he probably would have done the chivalrous thing and married her ... and they would have been miserable. I think part of what Jenny realizes now that she's older and has come back home, is that David is not the wonderful person she was so enamored with when she was a teenager, and had she been able to look past him, there were others out there who would have loved her more and treated her better.

Review: Middle School is Worse than Meatloaf by Jennifer L. Holm

Middle School Is Worse Than Meatloaf: A Year Told Through Stuff by Jennifer L. Holm

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Jennifer L. Holm tells the story of a middle-schooler's life "through stuff". Each page is different -- entries include school assignments, report cards, notes back and forth between the main character Ginny and her mom, others between Ginny and her friend Becky Soo. You get a feel for how Ginny sees life and deals with various situations through these documents, as well as her "Big To Do List" -- which changes as the year progresses. There is a bit of a story that happens throughout as well -- mysterious things happen and over time you are able figure out who is responsible because of the things Ginny has included. This was a very cute and quick read! I think students in 5-8th grades will really enjoy this one!

Review: Big Bouffant by Kate Hosford

Big Bouffant by Kate Hosford

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This is an extremely cute book. Annabelle doesn't want to have the same old boring pig tails that all the other girls in her class have. When she sees a picture of her grandmother with a bouffant hairdo, she decides that is the hairdo she wants to try! Then when all the other girls in her class copy her, she decides her bouffant is kinda boring, so Annabelle comes up with another way to be unique.
Review based on an ARC copy from NetGalley.

Review: The Postmistress by Sarah Blake

The Postmistress by Sarah Blake
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This novel takes place during the early parts of World War II, following several people's stories, which in the end all mesh together. First there is the postmaster -- aka the postmistress, Miss Iris James. She runs the Post Office with great attention to detail and protocol. She is hoping for a relationship with Harry, the local mechanic who is sure the war is coming to Cape Cod. Next is the story of Will Fitch and his new bride Emma. Will is a doctor, and after losing a patient during childbirth he feels he must make amends by going to serve as a doctor in the war. Emma does not want him to go, she is sure he will not come home. Last is the story of Frankie Bard, a (female) reporter whose voice is heard around the world as she tells the stories of the war on the radio. What each of these individuals endures, and the choices they each make have a ripple effect. A thought-provoking and enjoyable read.



This is the first eBook I checked out of the library :-)



View all my reviews

Review: Morning's Refrain by Tracie Peterson

Morning's Refrain by Tracie Peterson

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


This second book in the Song of Alaska series picks up approximately 18 years after the first. Dalton is now grown up and beginning to think about what he wants to do with his life. He also wants to know his history -- he doesn't like that others in town know about how his mother, older sister and he came to live in Sitka and the story behind that time, yet he does not. Not long after he is told the story, the opportunity presents itself for him to travel to Kansas City and meet his older siblings. Will he find they are like his mother and sister Evie have portrayed them, or have they changed? Will his friend Yuri succeed in winning the heart of Phoebe Robbins while he is away, or does she feel the same attraction to Dalton as he does to her?

Test Post

Trying to get some sort of email subscription to work again ...

Bowling

We survived the first week back to school ... only about 20 weeks left until Summer Vacation!!!!!  This weekend we got to go bowling for the first time.  Brandon (our cousin) had his birthday party at a bowling alley ... we really liked it.  If you would like to see pictures, just following this link http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=105609&id=1486159413&l=568f400495.  You should be able to access the pictures even if you don't have a Facebook account.  Nothing much else exciting going on right now.  We've gotten a bit of snow over the past week, but since what we had had all melted, there's really not a whole lot out there.  We could use a little bit more so dad can make us a hill to sled on.
We hope you are all staying warm ...
Love, David and Jonathan

2011 "Show Me the Free" Reading Challenge

This challenge is hosted by Missie over at The Unread Reader.  Here are the guidelines for this challenge: 

• Should you choose to participate in this challenge, your goal is to read at least twelve (12) legally obtained e-books which you got for FREE for your e-reading device. While twelve is the minimum there is no maximum limit.
• Anyone can join. You don't have to be a blogger, and you don't have to live in the United States. 
• Any E-Reader will work for this challenge, including: iPad, Kindle, Nook, Kobo, Sony Reader, enTourage. 
• Please Note: If you don't have an e-reading device, you can still join in with Amazon's Free Kindle Reading Apps which you can download for your iPhone, iPad, Mac, PC, Blackberry and more.
• The challenge runs from January 1, 2011 to December 31, 2011. You can join at anytime.
• e-books in ANY genre count for this challenge as long as it was FREE at the time that you downloaded it.
• Every month in 2011, I will make a post for the Show Me The Free Reading Challenge so you can link your reviews. 
• Those that link their reviews will be entered into a drawing for a chance to win a different prize each month, such as an Amazon or Barnes & Noble Gift Card, a bookmark, or a GelaSkins for your E-Reader. Winners will be announced at the end of each month.

Challenge Guidelines:

• If you blog, create a post announcing your participation in the challenge. Please include a link back to this post.
• Non blogger must publish reviews on some type of public domain such as Goodreads, Shelfari, LibraryThing, Amazon, or Barnes & Noble to enter the monthly giveaway.
• When you post your book review, you MUST say how you obtained the free read. Please make your source clear.
• You can list your books in advance or list them as you read them.
• Crossovers to other reading challenges is acceptable, but galley e-books DO NOT count. Again, this is a Reading Challenge to read as many of the FREE e-books legally offered for your e-reader. To get started, check out the Top 100 Free books on Amazon, or the Free e-books on Barnes & Noble. 
• Any linked reviews that do not meet the guidelines will not be entered into the monthly drawing for the prize of the month. 

Levels:
Coupon Clipper: 12 Books
Penny Pincher: 24 Books
Super Saver: 30+ Books

I will list my titles below, where I got it from, and the date I finished it.

1. Crossing Oceans (Holmes) -- Free from Kindle Store -- 1/19/11
2. A Gift of Grace (Clipston) -- Free from Kindle Store --
3. Wish (Bullen) --  Free from Kindle Store -- 2/20/11
4. Cool Beans: A Maya Davis Novel (Mangum) -- Free from Kindle Store --
5. Love on a Dime (James) -- Free from Kindle Store -- 3/13/11
6. Mr. Darcy's Diary (Grange) -- Free from Kindle Store
7. The Postmistress (Blake)  -- Checked out from library -- 1/14/11
8. Long Time Coming (Miller) -- Free from Kindle Store -- 3/16/11 
9. Fools Rush In (Thompson) -- Free from Kindle Store -- 4/30/11 
10. The Girl in the Gatehouse (Klassen) -- Free from Kindle Store -- 11/27/11 
11. A Vote of Confidence (Hatcher) -- Free from Kindle Store -- 11/ 31/11
12. 
    

2011 100+ Reading Challenge

This is my second year participating in this challenge, put forth by J. Kaye @  Home Girl's Book Blog.  The basic idea of this one is to try to read 100 books over the course of the year.  Here are her guidelines:

1. The goal is to read 100 or more books. Anyone can join. You don't need a blog to participate. --Non-Bloggers: Post your list of books in the comment section of the wrap-up post.

2. Audio, Re-reads, eBooks, YA, Manga, Graphic Novels, Library books, Novellas, Young Reader, Nonfiction – as long as the book has an ISBN or equivalent or can be purchased as such, the book counts.

3. No need to list your books in advance. You may select books as you go. Even if you list them now, you can change the list if needed.

4. Crossovers from other reading challenges count.

5. Challenge begins January 1st and continues through the end of December, 2011.

6. When you sign up under Mr. Linky, put the direct link to your post where your books will be listed. Include the URL to this post so that other viewers can find this fun challenge. If you’d prefer to put your list in the sidebar of your blog, please leave your viewers the link to the sign up page. Again, so viewers can join the challenge too.

I felt like I did pretty well last year, but let's see if I can surpass last year's number. 
Here is my list and the dates I finished them ... I will add to it as I read.  I'm also going to try to indicate a category for each book.

1. Dawn's Prelude (Peterson)  -- CHF -- 1/4/1
2. Morning's Refrain (Peterson) -- CHF -- 1/10/11
3. The Postmistress (Blake) -- eBook/Adult -- 1/14/11
4. Big Bouffant (Hosford) -- ARC/eBook/PB -- 1/17/11
5. Crossing Oceans (Holmes) -- eBook/Adult -- 1/19/11
6. The Pigman (Zindel) -- YA -- 1/22/11 
7. Middle School Is Worse Than Meatloaf (Holm) -- YA -- 1/25/11 
8. Speak (Anderson) -- YA -- 1/28/11
9. Twilight's Serenade (Peterson) -- CHF -- 1/31/11
10. Luna (Peters) -- YA --2/3/11
11. Nerd in Shining Armor (Thompson) -- Romance -- 2/4/11 
12. Mr. Darcy Broke My Heart (Pattillo) -- Fiction -- 2/9/11
13. Athletic Shorts (Crutcher) -- YA -- 2/13/11 
14. Wish (Bullen) -- YA -- 2/20/11 
15. Feed (Anderson) -- YA -- 2/22/11 
16. The Devil's Arithmetic (Yolen) -- YA -- 2/24/11
17. Life As We Knew It (Pfeffer) -- YA -- 2/24/11
18. The Book Thief (Zusak) -- YA -- 3/4/11
19. Feathers (Woodson) -- YA -- 3/5/11 
20. Stanley in Space (Brown) -- Junior -- 3/11/11 
21. The Talented Clementine (Pennypacker) -- Junior -- 3/12/11
22. Love on a Dime (James) -- CHF -- 3/13/11 
23. Long Time Coming (Miller) -- eBook/CF -- 3/16/11 
24. Zlata's Diary: A Child's Life in Sarajevo (Filipovic) -- YA -- 3/21/11 
25. Dash and Lilly's Book of Dares (Cohn) -- YA -- 3/28/11
26. The Handmaid's Tale (Atwood ) -- Adult/YA -- 3/29/11
27. Monster (Myers) -- YA -- 3/31/11
28. The American Heiress (Goodwin) -- Historical Fiction -- 4/7/11
29. Sammy and Juliana in Hollywood -- YA -- 4/13/11
30. The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian (Alexie) -- YA -- 4/20/11
31. Twilight:  The Graphic Novel, Volume 1 (Meyer) -- YA -- 4/27/11
32. Fools Rush In (Thompson) -- CF -- 4/30/11
33. Country Brides (Macomber) -- Adult -- 5/2/11
34. The Soldier's Wife (Leroy) -- Adult -- 5/12/11 
35. Summer Breeze (Anderson) -- Historical Fiction/Romance -- 5/17/11
36. Finishing Becca (Rinaldi) -- YA Historical Fiction -- 5/25/11
37. The Union Quilters (Chiaverini) -- Adult -- 6/1/11
38. On Hummingbird Wings (Snelling) -- CF -- 6/8/11
39. Embers of Love (Peterson) -- CHF -- 6/12/11
40. Jane Austen Ruined My Life (Pattillo) -- Adult -- 6/18/11
41. A Daughter's Inheritance (Peterson/Miller) -- CHF -- 6/21/11
42. An Unexpected Love (Peterson/Miller) -- CHF -- 6/28/11
43. A Surrendered Heart (Peterson/Miller) -- CHF -- 6/28/11
44. The Aloha Quilt (Chiaverini) -- Adult -- 6/30/11
45. In the Company of Others (Karon) -- Adult -- 7/16/11
46. A Heart for Home (Snelling) -- CHF -- 7/19/11
47. Her Daughter's Dream (Rivers) -- CF -- 7/23/11
48. The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants (Brashares) -- YA -- 7/28/11
49. The Second Summer of the Sisterhood (Brashares) -- YA -- 7/30/11
50. Girls in Pants (Brashares) -- YA -- 7/31/11
51. Forever in Blue:  The Fourth Summer of the Sisterhood (Brashares) -- YA -- 8/2/11
52. Sisterhood Everlasting (Brashares) -- Adult -- 8/6/11
53. The Other Queen (Gregory) -- Adult -- 8/19/11
54. Rumors (Godbersen) -- YA -- 8/30/11
55. A Distant Melody (Sundin) -- CHF -- 9/1/11
56. A Memory Between Us (Sundin) -- CHF -- 9/10/11
57. Blue Skies Tomorrow (Sundin) -- CHF -- 9/13/11
58. The Preacher's Bride (Hedlund) -- CHF -- 9/23/11
59. The Shop on Blossom Street (Macomber) -- Adult -- 10/11
60.  A Good Yarn (Macomber) -- Adult -- 10/11
61. Susannah's Garden (Macomber) -- Adult -- 10/11
62. Back on Blossom Street (Macomber) -- Adult -- 10/11
63. Twenty Wishes (Macomber) -- Adult -- 10/11
64. Summer on Blossom Street (Macomber) -- Adult -- 10/11
65. Hannah's List (Macomber) -- Adult -- 11/6
66. 1105 Yakima Street (Macomber) -- Adult -- 11/15
67. 1225 Christmas Tree Lane (Macomber) -- Adult -- 11/18
68. The Christmas Singing (Woodsmall) -- CF -- 11/20
69. The Girl in the Gatehouse (Klassen) -- CHF -- 11/27
70. A Vote of Confidence (Hatcher) -- CHF -- 11/31
71. A Log Cabin Christmas: 9 Romances of American Pioneer Christmases -- CHF -- 12/25 
72. Just Ella (Haddix) -- Junior/YA -- 12/29

2011 YA Reading Challenge

This one is hosted by Jamie @ "For the Love of YA"

Rules:

1. Anyone can join. You don't need a blog to participate. Create a post about the challenge and link your challenge post up in the linky below.

--Non-Bloggers: Post your list of books in the comment section of the wrap-up post.

2. There are four levels:

--The Mini YA Reading Challenge – Read 12 Young Adult novels.

--The "Fun Size" YA Reading Challenge – Read 20 Young Adult novels.

--The Jumbo Size YA Reading Challenge – Read 40 Young Adult novels.

--The Mega size YA Reading Challenge – Read 50+ Young Adult novels.

3. Audio, eBooks, paper, re-reads all count.

4. No need to list your books in advance. You may select books as you go. Even if you list them now, you can change the list if needed.

5. The Challenge starts on January 1, 2011 and goes until December 31, 2011.

Perhaps I am cheating a bit by participating in this one, but I couldn't resist as I am going to be taking a YA Lit. college course this semester.  I am sure I will read at least 20 books for that course alone!  I will list the titles I read and the date completed below as I finish them. 

1. The Pigman (Zindel) -- 1/22/11 
2. Middle School is Worse than Meatloaf (Holm) -- 1/25/11 
3. Speak (Anderson) -- 1/28/11
4. Luna (Peters) --2/3/11
5. Athletic Shorts (Crutcher) -- 2/13/11
6. Wish (Bullen) -- 2/20/11 
7. Feed (Anderson) -- 2/22/11
8. The Devil's Arithmetic (Yolen) -- 2/24/11 
9. Life As We Knew It (Pfeffer) -- 2/27/11 
10. The Book Thief (Zusak) -- 3/4/11 
11. Feathers (Woodson) -- 3/5/11 
12. Zlata's Diary: A Child's Life in Sarajevo (Filipovic) -- 3/21/11  
13. Dash and Lilly's Book of Dares (Cohn) -- 3/28/11
14. The Handmaid's Tale (Atwood) -- 3/29/11
15. Monster (Myers) -- 3/31/11
16. Sammy and Juliana in Hollywood (Saenz) -- 4/13/11
17. The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian (Alexie) -- 4/20/11
18. Twilight: A Graphic Novel, Volume 1 (Meyer) -- 4/27/11
19. Finishing Becca (Rinaldi) -- 5/25/11
20. The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants (Brashares) -- 7/28/11
21. The Second Summer of the Sisterhood (Brashares) -- 7/30/11
22. Girls in Pants (Brashares) -- 7/31/11
23. Forever in Blue:  The Fourth Summer of the Sisterhood (Brashares) -- 8/2/11
24. Rumors (Godbersen) -- 8/30/11
25. Just Ella (Haddix) -- 12/29/11
    

2011 eBook Challenge

Hosted by theladybugreads.blogspot.com -- Challenge Guidelines:
1. Anyone can join. You don't need a blog to participate.
--Non-bloggers: Include your information in the comment section.
2. There are four levels:
-- Curious – Read 3 e-books.
-- Fascinated – Read 6 e-books.
-- Addicted – Read 12 e-books.
-- Obsessed – Read 20 e-books.
-- Possessed – Read 50 e-books.
-- Fanatical – Read 75 e-books.
-- Monomaniacal – Read 100 e-books.
3. Any genre counts.
4. You can list your books in advance or just put them in a wrap-up post. If you list them, feel free to change them as the mood takes you.
5. Challenge begins January 1, 2011 and lasts until December 31, 2011.

We'll have to see how many I read ... I'm going to guess somewhere between 12 and 20.  I will list them below as I read them, along with the dates I finished them.

1. The Postmistress (Blake) -- 1/14/11 -- Checked out from TDL
2. Big Bouffant (Hosford) -- 1/17/11 -- Netgalley
3. Crossing Oceans (Holmes) -- 1/19/11 -- Amazon (free)
4. Wish (Bullen) -- 2/20/11 -- Amazon (free)
5. Feed (Anderson) -- 2/22/11 -- Amazon (purchased)
6. Long Time Coming (Miller) -- 3/16/11 -- Amazon (free)
7. The Handmaid's Tale (Atwood) -- 3/29/11 -- Amazon (purchased) 
8. Fools Rush In (Thompson) -- 4/30/11 -- Amazon (free)
9. The Christmas Singing (Woodsmall) -- 11/20/11 -- Amazon (purchased)
10. The Girl in the Gatehouse (Klassen) -- 11/27/11 -- Amazon (free) 
11. A Vote of Confidence (Hatcher) -- 11/31/11 -- Amazon (free)

2011 Christian Historical Fiction Challenge

This challenge is hosted by Margaret over at www.creativemadnessmama.com /
www.christianhistoricalfiction.com.  The goal is to read 24 books in this genre throughout the year.  I participated in this one last year and really enjoyed it, so I look forward to doing it again this year!






Here is a list of books I hope to read ... I will add to it as time goes on (all books for this challenge will be counted for other challenges as well) :

1. Dawn's Prelude (Peterson) -- 1/4/11
2. Morning's Refrain (Peterson) -- 1/10/11
3. Twilight's Serenade (Peterson) -- 1/31/11
4. The Red Siren (Tyndall)
5. Liberty's Promise (Stockton) 
6. The Reluctant Cowgirl (Lynxwiler)
7. The Secret (Lewis)
8. Rachel's Secret (Hoff)
9. A Vote of Confidence (Hatcher)
10. Montana Rose (Connealy)
11. No Place for a Lady (Brendan)
12. Love on a Dime (James) -- 3/13/11 
13. Embers of Love (Peterson) -- 6/12/11
14. A Daughter's Inheritance (Peterson/Miller) -- 6/21/11 
15. An Unexpected Love (Peterson/Miller) -- 6/28/11 
16. A Surrendered Heart (Peterson/Miller) -- 6/28/11 
17. A Heart for Home (Snelling) -- 7/19/11 
18. A Distant Melody (Sundin) -- 9/1/11 
19. A Memory Between Us (Sundin) -- 9/10/11 
20. Blue Skies Tomorrow (Sundin) -- 9/13/11
21. The Preacher's Bride (Hedlund) -- 9/23/11
22. The Girl in the Gatehouse (Klassen) -- 11/20/11
23. A Vote of Confidence (Hatcher) -- 11/27/11
24. A Log Cabin Christmas: 9 Romances of American Pioneer Christmases -- 12/25/11

Review: Dawn's Prelude by Tracie Peterson

Dawn's Prelude by Tracie Peterson

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


This was an excellent book! Peterson does a great job of pulling the reader in right from the beginning and making the reader really feel for her characters. Throughout the entire book I really wanted things to work out for the main character, Lydia; and of course they do. But, I also wanted things to work out for the better for one of the other characters. You'll have to read this one for yourself though to find out if Evie is able to break away from the evil and deceit that shroud her family.

Happy New Year!!

Happy New Year to all our family and friends! 
Love,
Chris, Kati, David and Jonathan