Tuesday, October 28, 2014

christmas in the sticks (Giveaway)

"A Robertson Family Christmas" by Kay Robertson is the first fictional work done in the Robertson clan books.  This novel features Hunter, a Chicago teen, who wins a contest to spend Christmas in Louisiana with the Robertson family of Duck Dynasty fame.  Hunter comes from a divorced family and has been estranged from his father and brother.  His mother works most of the time leaving Hunter alone a lot.  He goes to West Monroe and learns that family is not just silence and ignoring, but of love, laughter, and faith. 
As usual, with books based on famous people, I will review this book on its own merit and not that of the show, the family, or whatever "scandal" is going on at the time.  Miss Kay has some help with writing from Travis Thrasher.  I am unsure on what level and how much help she received, but the writing is good.  The story starts off a little like a commercial for the family, but if I were writing on my own family, I would probably gloss over a few parts too.  After she gets into the novel, the family becomes a lot more real.  The only thing I didn't like was that she went back and forth between telling the story through Korie's (the woman of the house that Hunter stayed at) point of view and Hunter's.  I would have rather she stuck with one or the other, preferably Hunter since the story was primarily about him.  I would recommend this book, whether a fan of the show or not, as a good Christmas read.  To get in the spirit of Christmas I will have a giveaway!  I have two hard cover books to giveaway from Tyndale Publishers to two people who either comment or message me (dutchbunny5@yahoo.com) about their wackiest, most Robertson Christmas they have ever had.  The final day will be November 15.  I will announce the winners on November 17th. 
I received this book for free in exchange for an honest review from the publishers through www.bloggingforbooks.com and www.netgalley.com

Sunday, October 26, 2014

here come the pumpkins

"The Halloween Curse" by M. R. James is a mid-level grade school age (4-6 grade) Halloween mystery keeping with the tradition of RL Stine.  The text is an easy read, with not remotely possible scary scenarios.  In the town of Boo, two siblings, Amanda and Bill, are trying to figure out how the pumpkins are attacking kids and what is happening to the kids afterwards when they disappear.  Their prime suspect is Mr. Night, a new-to-town antique book store owner that they are following around. 
This book would be considered ridiculous to a middle schooler, with the antics being so impossible.  They wouldn't find it scary.  However, if the child were too young, you might wind up with a kid that is terrified of pumpkins.  The 4-6 grade level would not believe the story possible, yet still find it scary enough for a good read.  The text is easy enough for that age as well.  I received this book in the Member Giveaways on www.librarything.com

Saturday, October 11, 2014

the river review

"The River" by Beverly Lewis follows two formerly Amish sisters living in the world as Englishcers.  Tilly has a tense and difficult relationship with her father, leading to her leaving the Amish community shortly after her youngest sister, Anna, was killed in a accidental drowning.  Ruthie is Tilly's younger sister, and has left the Amish community 5 years later after a difficult breakup with Will, an Amish boy without good intentions.  The two sisters go back home to their parents anniversary party after years of no contact and have a reunion of sorts.  Not all goes happily, but the healing begins.
If you have tired of Beverly Lewis I encourage you to go back and give this book a try.  She really gets into the nitty gritty of the father-daughter relationship.  She dives into the humanity of the relationship, rather than the usual "amishness" of things.  Then she drops a bomb about 3/4 of the way through book. The ending will give you a tear or two.  Good book.  I received this book for free in exchange for an honest review from Bethany House.