Just A Thought

In a way, I am lucky.  I have a diverse family.  Members of my family have different races, religions, sexualities and political views.  We have different thoughts and some I agree with and some I don't.  I see it as luck because I was taught to listen and not judge...Just listen.  Because I was taught that, I am able to love people through everything even disagreements.  I am thankful because growing up in the family I have has taught me to love... truly love. 

However, in a way, I am unlucky because now I have to worry.  Are me or my family members in danger? I'm not talking about one race of my family or one job description or one religion or sexuality...I'm talking about all.  Do I have to pick a side?  Because either way I go is to go against family members and people I love.  It's a terrifying thought and I guess it caused me to break today.  

That break caused me to be very candid with someone and I just threw all caution to the wind.  I told a complete stranger how I felt and something happened that had not happened in a long time.  There was no name calling or anger.  We had a conversation on social media and listened to each other.  It was amazing.  We shared opinions and even posted things to support our views in ways that were respectful.  We even thanked each other.  Whether he knows it or not, he gave me a little more faith in humanity.  

So, I'm going to try to explain one of the things that is bothering me and hopefully, it will give a point of view that will help in the very tense situations going on right now.  Hopefully, you will listen like this man did.  So, here goes...As some of you know, I live in Dallas County and it's hard to realize that people died because of circumstances they were not part of.  I have police officers in my family and I have young black men in my family too and this effects them. One of my author friends who live near me posted her support of the police officers who passed and the very first comment was that she should feel sorry for the young black men who passed instead.  Worse, I've seen similar things posted.  I admit it made me hesitant.  It twisted my soul.  I shouldn't feel like I'm choosing between them because what people don't understand is that in the police officers I see my uncle, or my grandpa or my step-dad and in these young black men, I see my nephew or my cousins.  I should never ever feel as if I have to choose because someone decides to belittle my compassion and tell me I put it in the wrong place.  I should never have to hesitate to show love and compassion to anyone especially in a world where love and compassion is scarce and I won't again.  However, I will ask you to be like the man who listened to me.  The man who wasn't a friend or companion but a complete stranger who allowed me to show him respect by giving it and allow compassion to not have to pick a side.  Be like him and do the one thing people have forgotten how to do...Listen.  Thank you.    

Reading as Goldie Finds What Is Just Right in Goldie Locks Her Bear by Mackenzie Raye

So, I sat down and read Goldie Locks Her Bear which is my first Bear-Shifter book.  I know that's a shocker.  I don't know why I've never read one especially now and I do see myself reading many more.  You have Mackenzie Raye to thank for that.  

As always, I will start with the setting.  This takes place in a small country town on the Mason-Dixon line which is good because we are talking about bear-shifters and the setting itself helps further the story.  So, the setting was done well.  However, the characters are what makes this story again.  

The two main characters, are hot.  Goldie is a player but so is the man she was only planning on having a one night stand with.  There are plenty of ex-lovers and want to be lovers to make them jealous.  I promise there is plenty of action in this book. 

The plot is different than I imagined.  It is a love story but you don't have the typical characters meeting and falling in love.  Instead, you have two characters who are known for one-night stands. They are not prepared for the feelings they have for each other.  I loved this plot because they both had to choose to change.  

I do believe there is one thing that needs to be worked on and that's editing.  A program like Pro-writing aid helps with that and it's free.  I know because I have been there and one of my friends helped me find the program.  I don't want those issues taking away from a wonderful story.  This is a wonderful story.

My rating: 4 

Book Cover Rating: 5

My Heartbreaking Review of A House Made of Stars by Tawnysha Greene

Before I go into my review of A House Made of Stars, I would like to say that I have had the honor to meet Mrs. Greene at a book signing in my home state of Tennessee.  It was there that I put A House Made of Stars on my to be read list.  I am so glad to have met her and that she introduced me to this book.  

So, I guess I'll start with the setting.  There are many places that this book travels through. They include a house on the mountain along with an apartment and a grandmother's house.  The constantly changing scenery fits the story.  It shows the heartbreak and the inconsistency of life with mental instability.  

The characters are vibrant and possess humanity that is described with rare efficiency and heart.  I lived the story with them.  I was able to feel what they felt and experience things with them.  I found myself truly caring about these characters.  It reminds me of the same feeling that I got while reading The Book Thief.  None are perfect and it's those flaws that make them beautiful like the children who are deaf and partially deaf and their mother using sign language.  It was described with such visual beauty that it will haunt me for the rest of my life.
The plot of the story is perfection.  She beautifully describes what it is like to live in a family where someone has mental problems.  She shows the pain of everyone involved.  She spins the tale in a way that is breathed and is felt with the rawest emotions.  This story is important.  It's not just told for entertainment.  It allows people to experience what a family like this goes through.  It gives people empathy.
The book as a whole is now one of my favorites.  I will cherish it forever.  I recommend this book for everyone.  I think is needed in this world.  I would give this book more than five stars.  I will say thank you to Mrs. Greene for writing it.  It is beautiful.  It truly is.

Book Rating: 5 + stars
Book Cover Rating: 5

Getting Enchanted with Enchantment by Charlotte Abel

Hi.  Okay...So I read Enchantment by Charlotte Abel and I would like to say that it made me homesick for my home state of Tennessee.  I will start off saying that.  Just the way Channie and her family spoke made me smile.  That was enough to get me into the book.  

I love the settings which ranged from Arkansas backwoods to Louisville, Colorado.  I enjoyed both because of how different the atmosphere of both were.  Also, I was able to connect with Channie quickly because I know what it's like to move to an unfamiliar place.  So, the settings were wonderful.  

The characters were likeable and I found myself loving everyone from Channie and Josh to the trips.  Even Josh's mother had likeable moments even though she was the only character I wasn't sure I'd feel about her at first.  The characters personalities were big and they made the story enjoyable.  My favorites included Channie, Josh and Aunt Wisdom.  Mrs. Abel did a wonderful job of building enjoyable characters.

The plot of the story is magical.  It kept me glued to the book and I wanted to know what was going to happen next.  It was romantic and had plenty of action.  However, do have a complaint...Channie's age bothered me.  I think she could have been a little older even though I understand the culture she grew up in.  Other than that, I loved the book and I look forward to reading the next book in the series.  

I do recommend this for older teenagers and adults.  It is not suitable for younger teenagers or children.  I also recommend this for anyone who likes magical tales, romance and a little bit of mystery.  

My Rating: 4 stars

Book Cover Rating: 5 stars

Finding Mercy with The Mercy Tree By Nicole Donavon

I will be doing a series review for The Kingdom Critters series and this is my first time doing this so everyone please bear with me.  First, I will be reviewing The Mercy Tree and on Christmas night I will be posting the review for the next book in the series called To Catch A Seeing Star. I was happy to do this one because I was able to read these books to my nine year old daughter.  

The setting is as sweet as the story itself.  It starts in the fictional land of animals which includes Chimara, deserts and castles.  It is magical and compelling.  Like I said before, it is definitely sweet. 

The characters within this book are just as wonderful as the settings.  I love the main character, Archer and understand what he’s going through.  His father and mother are darling and there is even a bad guy that makes you wince.  What is different about this story is Archer is a hedgehog as are his parents.  The rest of the characters are animals too. Children will love both the setting and the characters.

I am going to do something that I haven’t done before.  I am going to include the summary from amazon so that you can read that because I always fear giving too much away and with the summary I won't.  

“I can’t be a witness for some critter that never existed.” 

That statement sends Archer, a tiny hedgehog with an even tinier faith, on a journey for truth. What he doesn’t realize is that sometimes when you set out to prove something false you end up proving it’s true. 

Soon he finds himself traveling all over Chamira and meeting some interesting critters along the way. From the critters in Nod who have it all and won’t part with any of it; to those on Unfit Peak who are thankful for the little they have that doesn’t even fill their bellies. 

Throughout this adventure Archer will learn that the White Lamb is always there for His critters. That even when Archer wanted nothing to do with Him, He would not leave him to wander in the darkness alone. 

If you have found yourself questioning your faith, come and join Archer on a journey that won’t only change his life, but yours as well. 

As you can see this is spiritual tale and it does exactly what it’s supposed to.  It sends the reader on a journey with this little animal who has very real human feelings.  I didn’t find myself bored and my daughter enjoyed it immensely.  I do recommend this book for children and early teens. It is a Christian story so there is obvious Christian undertones so please take that into consideration before buying. 

My rating: 5 stars

Book cover rating 5 stars

Falling for the God of Mischief…My Review of Mischief’s Mate by Nicolette Scarletti

I am back again and this time, I have read Mischief’s Mate by Nicolette Scarletti.  It is the gripping tale of Loki and Chantelle and is a delightful twist on the tales of Gods, Goddesses and magical realms.

                So, I will start with the setting.  The setting is in a few places that range from Asgard to Washington State.  I know that’s a big difference but with magical fantasies such as these, it’s good to have a range of places.  I loved the fact that there was modern mixed with a time of old.  It gave a good atmosphere for the story. 

                The characters were all vibrant.  I loved Chantelle.  She was strong but had a heart that was easy to relate to.  Loki made me fall in love with him.  He was all alpha male…She is mine but then, I saw his sweet side and melted completely into a puddle at his feet.  The supporting character are wonderful.  I love Emma, Frigga, Bells and all the rest.  Nicolette Scarletti does really well at creating interesting and realistic characters.  On the same subject, I hate her villain.  Isn’t that what I’m supposed to do.  So, she did a wonderful job on all of it.

                Now, for the plot.  It is hot.  I love the chemistry between Loki and Chantelle.  There is a good dose of want in the story and love but the electricity between Loki and Chantelle is heartwarming.  I loved every minute of it.  The backstory is heartbreaking and makes Loki all the more appealing.  Whether he would like anyone admitting it, you saw his vulnerability in it.

                So, do I recommend this book?  Run...Power-type…Whatever you have to do to get this book.  It is wonderful.  Do I recommend it for children?  No because some of the scenes are too hot for them to touch.  Everyone else should get it. 

My rating: 5 ++++++++++

My book cover rating: 5  

Feeling Invincible with Cecily Anne Paterson's Invincible (Book 2) The Invisible Series

I am happy to be reviewing again and this time it is by the talented author Cecily Anne Paterson and her book Invincible which is the sequel to one of my favorite books Invisible of The Invisible Series.  So, I was really excited to get this book and if you haven't read my review of Invisible, please do.  

We start with the same setting as before with a teenage girl who lives in Australia.  She is fairly new at her school because her mother moved them around a lot because of a tragedy in their lives but thankfully, they have decided to stay after the events of the last book.  The setting still works really well for this book.  So, I'm glad that Mrs. Paterson didn't have Jazmine move again.  So, we are able to start this book where the other left off.  

The characters are still wonderful.  I love Jazmine and I love her friends.  The author has a wonderful way of making her characters real with real problems.  Unfortunately, I was a little confused when it came to Liam.  You get to know him in the book before and the changes he goes through within a matter of weeks don't make sense because you do not expect his actions in the second book.  It seems kind of forced. I wish there had been some clues to his personality in the first book.  For example, with Gabby you saw her actions coming but for Liam it was a surprise.  For someone who didn't read the book before this one, you wouldn't notice but I did so I noticed.  It's the only real complaint I have characterwise.  

Now, the plot was a little sticky but it goes back to the surprising actions of Liam and it was because I had to switch from seeing him as one person to seeing him as another very quickly.  However, once I was able to see him that way, the plot was easier to take in.  The other parts of the plot were perfection.  I loved it.  There was real emotion within them and I was able to experience everything with those characters.  I do like the message behind the plot.  I just wish there had been more signs pointing to what was about to happen.  I think it would have helped the message also.

This book is still enjoyable.  I still loved it.  I will be recommending it especially to young girls.  The messages in it are important to any teenage girl.  I recommend this book to anyone who likes clean books with a healthy dose of sentiment.  I also recommend it to anyone who likes books with dramatic flare.  

My rating: 4 stars

Book Cover Rating: 5