The Memory Keeper's Daughter

by: Kim Edwards

I am not sure where I ran across this book. I had thought it was a Christian novel but as I read discovered that it was not.

This book is based on a couple; David and Norah. The books starts out with the birth of their son Paul and an unexpected twin Pheobe. David delivers his son and then his daughter Pheobe but one look at Pheobe and he realizes that she is born with downs syndrome. In 1964 they actually had the mother sleep during delivery so she is unaware of the second birth. David makes a decision and hands his daughter over to Caroline, the nurse who was assisting. He tells Caroline to take Phoebe to an institution for these type of children expecting that her life will be hard and short.

Growing up David had a sister who was very sick and saw what it did to his family when she died. He wanted to spare his wife and son the heart ache of loosing a daughter and sister, like he had. When Norah wakes, David tells her that their baby daughter died in child birth.

Caroline took Phoebe to the institution and saw that it was a horrible place so she made a decision to take her out of town and raise Phoebe herself. Two decisions that would have drastic consequences.

David and Norah grow apart. Norah from the loss of her daughter, is never able to really recover. David with the wall he built from his secret. He turns to photography to capture moments in life but some how always separate from it. Their son Paul grows up feeling the distance between his parents and doesn't feel accepted by his father.

Paul grows into a young man, in love with music. Phoebe who faces challenges actually grows into a young girl. Caroline sends letters along the way to David and in turn David sends money to help raise Phoebe.

I had no idea when I started the book that it is also a movie. I plan to watch it now that I have read the book. I would recommend the book. Though it is not a Christian book the story is compelling. I have to say that I thought the story was sad, it's amazing what one choice can do. David thought he was making a right choice to protect his family and never predicted what other affects that choice would cause. You have to read the book to find out if the secret was ever revealed and what became of Phoebe and Paul!

The Priest's Graveyard

by: Ted Dekker

This books starts with a story...

Danny grew up in Bosnia but when his family is killed he takes on a new calling for his life, to rid the world of those in the world that deserve judgement.

Renee is a junkie from the street, running to survive being killed by the man that is after her, Jonathan Bourque. When she is "rescued" by a man named Lamont.

A year later Danny, now a Priest and Renee, who is no longer a junkie, cross path's in unexpected events. They soon discover that they share the same goal, to rid the world of injustice. The road they take takes them down a long path of secrets that soon takes a turn into Renee's past. Renee is faced with a choice, will she choose Judgement or Grace and Love?

I'm surprised at the last few books that Ted Dekker has written. I have read all of Ted Dekker's books and have only come across a few that were not my favorite. He quickly became one of my favorite authors. But the last two I've read; Emanuel's Vein and this book, it's not that they aren't my favorite, I really don't like them! I'm not sure if Ted Dekker has is changing his style of writing or trying out new ideas.

It always amazes me how fast he writes his books and I'm sure I will read his next book in hopes that I might like it as much as I have most of his books in the past. But for this book, The Priest's Graveyard, I'm sorry to say, I wouldn't recommend this book to read.

Vicious Cycle

by Terri Blackstock

I had no idea you were able to order books from other cities through the library system. If I remember right, this book came from San Diego. I was pretty excited though, since it really is one of very few in CA to request!

I read The Intervention and then was so sad when I couldn't find the 2nd book, Vicious Cycle. The Intervention can be found under my book reviews for April. The back ground story of The Intervention is about Barbara's daughter, Emily. Barbara has an interventionist come to take Emily to a rehab center because her life is spiraling out of control on drugs. But when Emily's interventionist is found dead and she has gone missing, her mother, Barbara, does everything in her power to find her.

Vicious Cycle picks up the story a year after The Intervention ends. Emily is about to graduate from her year in rehab when one of the pregnant fifteen year old girls, Jordan, from her rehab center runs back home. When Jordan gives birth, things get crazy. This time Emily's brother, Lance is caught up in it. Jail, kidnapping and drugs. When will the vicious cycle end?

Terri Blackstock has officially become one of my top favorite authors. I truly enjoy reading her books. This two book series is a must read.

Kindle vs. Nook Color

Recently I had a chance to play with a Amazon Kindle and a Nook Color. I had never gotten to see either of them before and wished I had someone else's opinion to bounce ideas off of. I thought I'd write a blog about both of them.


The Amazon Kindle...

This is a great product for those that are looking strictly to read. The Kindle that I was able to check out was not a 3G, so it did not have the ability to go online. I'm not sure what ability the Kindle does have with 3G.

With the device that does not go on line you are only able to go on the Amazon listing to pick out a book to download. This device is strictly black and white and everything you do reads as a book. It is sleek, interesting screen, very easy on the eyes.

If you are looking to read a book this is for you. No bells and whistles, no color. Just strictly reading.

The bummer for me is that I read so much. When I was looking up books that I would enjoy reading they were typically between $9.99 and $15. For those that read about a book a month it would be perfect but for me I couldn't afford to keep up my habit. I read a book a week, on average. At $9.99 a book, that would be pretty pricy. I also use the library for all my reading which allows me to get those same books for free and then turn them back in. Though the library is heading toward e-books and has a few in stock, non of the e-books are ones I would like to read. And they are no where near for a Kindle all the time, that is still quite a few years away. So...for me this device is a pass.


Barnes and Nobles Nook Color...

I was able to play around with a nook color. NOT just a nook but the nook COLOR. This thing is AWESOME. Though the downfall is that it is a little more expensive than a Kindle, you are getting more than the Kindle offers.

The device is in color for one which makes it nicer to look at. It has a big screen to surf the internet with Wi-fi and touch screen, which I always like. When connected to the internet it looks just like the internet when you are on a computer. My favorite thing about being online was that you are able to watch t.v. online! LOVE that!

Another of my favorite features is their children's books. You have the option to read the book on your own or they are narrated while you listen to the story. Some of the books are interactive so the characters move or they have other activities.

The Nook Color also offers apps, yes apps! Though not many. There are a few games and children's activities including; Drawing Pad, Uno, Pandora (online radio) and Pulse (up to date news and sites that you add). Great to use on a larger screen.

Now at this point I have to say that my dream would be to own an ipad! So of course I gravitate to the Nook Color. But the one thing that the Nook Color is lacking is the lack of apps. If Barnes and Nobles would allow the nook to download Android games being that it is an Android product it would be an even better product. But like the Kindle, the Nook Color is an e-reader with more bells and whistles.

Between the two, strictly based on e-readers the Nook Color wins, hands down.


Here is my disclaimer...

If you are like me looking for apps rather than an e-reader you may be hoping for the Kindle and Nook Color to do more than they are built to do. You might be better getting something like the itouch, which is based on apps which includes a Kindle and Nook app to download if you wanted to get a children's book or a book for yourself once in a while. The only bummer about the itouch is your giving up the bigger screen that a Nook Color has but it is not a device built around e-reading. And it's much better price than an ipad!!!

True Devotion

by: Dee Henderson

Kelly was married to Nick, who was was a SEAL. On a mission things went terribly wrong and and Nick was killed and his best friend from the platoon, Joe, was shot in the arm. Both Kelly and Joe are left to recover from the loss. The book starts three years after Nicks death with Kelly and Joe as really close friends who actually start to wonder if they are becoming more than friends.

Joe is still in active duty as a SEAL and has kept the details of Nicks death a secret from Kelly, as is SEALS duty. But he has always tried to hunt down the man responsible, Raider.

After three years of no activity from Raider he is back in the spot light stealing weapons that could create a war. Joe is determined to find Raider and has no idea how close he and Kelly really are to him.

I really like this book. I had a hard start with the military lingo but once past the first few chapters I got into the story line between Joe and Kelly and what will happen to them with Raider involved! I recommend this book.

Evidence of Mercy

by: Terri Blackstock

Once again, I LOVE Terri Blackstocks books! I as so glad that I have so many more books of hers to read!

Evidence of Mercy is the first book in her Sun Coast Chronicles. Lynda is a lawyer who is trying to get out of debt left behind by her father. She is looking to sell her plane and Jake, a very handsome but self absorbed man, who is looking to buy. When they take the plane up for a test flight they had no idea that the night before someone had cut the line for the landing gear and they would have a very hard landing. Lynda is left bruised and Jake is left paralysed. Lynda has her faith and Jake is left to find who he is.

Before the crash, Lynda took on a pro bono case for a battered woman trying to leave her abusive husband with her daughter. Before the crash Lynda's only friend was her job. After the crash she has a mother, daughter and Jake, from the crash, living with her. All the while someone is out to kill her putting all of them in danger.

This book was a great read. I figured out who Lynda's attacker was and Terri Blackstock reveals who it is early on but it is worth reading to find out what happens!

Intervention

by: Terri Blackstock

Terri Blackstock is one of my favorite authors. Each time I read her books I remember why. I have already read 2 other series written by her; 911 NewPointe and Cape Refuge. This is book one of a 2 book series called the Intervention series.

Barbara Covington's daughter, Emily is in danger. Her life is spiraling out of control. Barbara decides as the last straw to stage an intervention with an interventionist. They talk Emily into going into rehab, yet on the way to the interventionist is found dead and Emily is missing. Now Barbara is a mother who will do anything to find her daughter. Detective Kent Harlan is investigating the case. As he follows the evidence, he has to decide whether Emily is a murderer or a victim as well.

This book is just enough of an emotional connection to the characters to feel it's real without getting you too emotionally attached. There is also enough mystery to keep you reading. I really enjoyed this book. I am so bummed that the library does not have book 2, Vicious Cycle.

I recommend Terri Blackstock's books, you will not be disappointed.