The Shores

"The Shores of Tripoli" by James L. Haley is a cross between historical fiction and a historical text book.  The book tells the story of Bliven Putnum, a 14 year old captain in training.  The year is 1801 and the US is dabbling in the Navy with just a few ships, one being the Enterprise.  The US is headed for battle with the pirate ship, Tripoli.  The Tripoli is a Muslim led ship in a world where Muslim ships have gutted ships and imprisoned sailors into slavery.  The story mostly sticks with the conflict of Tripoli, but does jump in time while following Bliven, ending when he is 18.  Rumor has it this could be a series. 
This is a very detailed book.  The person reading this needs to be very interested in ships and 1801 world politics.  The book is well written and Haley knows his stuff.  I received this book in exchange for an honest review from www.firsttoread.com. 

Demons

  

 

"The Occupied" by Craig Parshall is the first in the Trevor Black Series.  Trevor is a former high end defense lawyer from New York who has been chosen by God to enter into battle with the demons that walk the earth.  While Trevor is riding high in NYC he looses his wife to a drug overdose and his partnership in a short period of time.  He is brought in as a consultant by a detective who believes that darker powers are at work than the usual bad guys.  The demons travel to Wisconsin to Trevor's home town to wreak havoc on the town to draw Trevor out for battle. 

This is an unusual book in that it is both paranormal/horror and Christian Fiction all at once.  The novel is well written and incredibly captivating.  It will keep you up at not first to read, then to ponder and fear.  I think this series will be a success and I look forward to reading more.  I received this book in exchange for an honest review from Tyndale Publishers.

 

 

 

Shaken Not Stirred

"Shaken:  Discovering Your True Identity in the Midst of Life's Storms" by Tim Tebow is the author's second book.  "Shaken" exposes the ups and downs, mostly downs, that Tebow has experienced lately.  The first book he wrote, an autobiography, paled in comparison to this book.  In his first, he wrote like a college student, and he seemed immature and a tad pompous.  This Tim Tebow is a whole new man.  Tebow is all grown up.  He comes across as a more mature, secure, and wise man.  His writing is much more confidant.  I am not a football fan at all, yet I wasn't bored with this book.  There is quite a bit of football in it, but he is a football player. However, this was written before his baseball experience , so there is no mention of playing pro baseball.   There is a lot about his charitable works.  He relates everything in his life to his faith with God and that is a good thing.  I really liked this book.  By the way, it is very hard walking around with this book in your hands because people keep trying to get you to give it to them.  Everyone loves Tim, which should help when selling this book.

X-Files in a book

"The Complete X-Files" by Chris Knowles is being re-released with the new info and pics involving Seasons 10.  The book is really a collection of summaries from each episode and movie involving the X-Files show.  Most of the summaries are brief, but some give behind the scenes information or quirky little bits of facts.  There are pictures included of both behind the scenes and stills.  This would be the perfect gift for an X-File junkie.  I know I love it, however, I wouldn't recommend it to someone who watches it here and there.  I also would recommend on spending the extra dough and getting the hardback.  I read this on my phone and the pics weren't as viewable as I would have liked.  I received this book from www.netgalley.com. 

Amish Novellas

"An Amish Harvest:  Four Novellas" by Beth Wiseman, Amy Clipston, Kathleen Fuller, and Vannetta Chapman is a sweet collection of Amish Fiction revolving around the Autumn months.  Though all have a touch of romance, they each have various genres: some mystery, some action, etc.  The Chapman novella, Mischief in the Autumn Air, was my favorite.  That is the one I will summarize.  In this novel, Martha, a widowed 40 something, must move in with her aunt due to finances and live over 250 miles from home.  She soon takes a job at an auction house and discovers a mystery.  Eli, her boss, and Martha try to solve the mystery of maps on various pieces of furniture.  Is it treasure?  Is it more?  I liked some of the novellas more than others, but they were all enjoyable and easy reads.  Perfect for relaxing.  I received this book from www.booklookbloggers.com. 

Clancy's

"The Clancys of Queens" by Tara Clancy is a memoire of the author, a girl growing up in Queens.  Tara is the character told in the style of Scout-Ramona-Junie B.  She is every teacher's nightmare, she is adventurous, and she is "the fun one".  Tara lives with her mother in a basement apartment in her grandma's house.  Grandma is a hoot.  The story follows her growing up years spending alternate weekends between her father's one room shed that he rents and her mother's boyfriend, Mark, who is Colin Powell's neighbor in the Hamptons. 
Clancy's writing is hilarious and eloquent. I love the way she strings the words together.  It's not a heavy read, but does give pause to how one looks at other people.  Her character building is superb. 4 stars.  I received this book in exchange for an honest review from First to Read.