Spear Hunter (Northland Chronicles #2) by Henry J. Olsen

Release Date: July 30, 2014
Publisher: Unbound Adventure Press
Series: Northland Chronicles, Book 2

Rating: 4 out of 5 stars.

Synopsis:
More than a decade after the Desolation virus ravaged North America, John Osborne had more questions than answers about his current situation. Keen on finding information one way or another, he set out to Mallard Island in the Minnesota Territory alongside Nathan, a young man with questions of his own.

They soon found others along the trail who weren't so happy to see them. Members of a new militant power scouted the area for new recruits and old possible enemies as well as some unexpected surprises. John must know how he came to be more than human - even if it means facing a trap on the island  he only knew by rumor. With time running out and his health fading fast, will he find the answers waiting for him?

Review:
I was contacted by the author and asked if I would do an honest and fair review of his work. I have to admit that I hadn't heard of the Northland Chronicles before the release of this book, which is the second in the series. Because of that fact, I was a little apprehensive to read the books out of order. As I began to read, it became clear that the novel would do well as both part of the series and a stand-alone novel. There's enough background information throughout the novel that made me curious enough to check out the first book without dumping a huge amount on me all at once.

The central focus of the book appeared to be centered on John Osborne and his quest for answers about his arm. He wasn't alone in his quest as both friend and foe were interested. On the friend side of things, John enlisted the help of Nathan, a young man who had needed help finding loved ones in the previous tale and who was also pretty book smart. The complex network of villainous characters was also revealed as I turned the pages. The secret militant force and its general were determined to grab hold of as much of the world as it could now that no one was around to stop them. Each of the characters had their own distinct personalities and I was glad to see a variety of dialect, race and intelligence come together as well as it did.

There were a few surprises along the way that added more to the world the author shaped in the first book. Without giving any spoilers, you will have to read until the end of the book to see what happened to the various characters. Each of them has a sort of resolution to their journey in the book. The pacing of the story was steady from the beginning. Action scenes kept the story moving while the dialogue helped the movement without revealing too much of the plot. With well-fleshed out characters, intriguing history about the area and beautiful land descriptions, it was easy for me to keep turning the pages.

All in all, I enjoyed this book. It was a bit creepy to think that what happened in the book really wasn't too far removed from the realm of possibility. I think that's what made it so interesting for me. Without reading the first one, I was able to gleam some of the events without feeling overwhelmed or distracted from the current story. There was an ever-present feeling that something much larger was at play in the former state of Minnesota. Not only would it impact the remaining lives there, but the world. I'm now curious to know whether the answers will be found in the next book because of the unanswered questions left in this one. I'd definitely recommend this book to anyone who loves a bit of dystopia mixed with sci-fi and a dash of adventure.

Spear Hunter (Northland Chronicles #2) by Henry J. Olsen is currently available at many online retailers and can be purchased in digital formats including Kindle. Clicking the link below will take you to the book's Amazon page.
Spear Hunter (Northland Chronicles #2) by Henry J. Olsen

Currently Reading

So glad the past seven days are done. It's been a stressful time here, to say the least. I'm grateful for the chance to work through the next seven days, but I sure could have used a pause button in the past week. Between the news of an unexpected death in the family and health issues, I've been set back once again in my quests for 2014. I will not be denied! I will either get these crossed off my to-do list or come really close. That's what I keep telling myself.

As we near the end of September, my thoughts are already turning toward November. No, I'm not going to be putting up Christmas decorations early. I love Halloween too much to skip it. I'm excited for the chance to join thousands, if not millions, of others in another NaNoWriMo! If you're not familiar with this yearly event, it's essentially a huge write-along in which people try to write a 50,000 word novel in the month of November. Check out www.nanowrimo.org for more details.


Hello there, books at the top of the list!
The Saeshell Book of Time, Part 1: The Death of Innocents (Children of Sophista #1) by Rusty Biesele
Jackfish Reborn by Rejean Giguere
Pride & Prejudice by Jane Austen
Spear Hunter (Northland Chronicles #2) by Henry J. Olsen
Say You Will (Summerhill Book 1) by Kate Perry


Goodbye, finished books.
If Only I Could Sleep: A Survivor's Memoir by Stephanie Henry


The end of the year is often a bittersweet mix for me. I love the holidays, but they remind me of those I've lost. I'm trying to stay positive this year. Time to focus on goals - completing my crochet projects, finish revising my novel and get closer to my reading goal for the year. What's your goals for the year?

Until next time,
Kay B

If Only I Could Sleep: A Survivor's Memoir by Stephanie Henry

Release Date: October 1, 2013
Publisher: Emerald Book Company

Rating: 3 out of 5 stars.


Synopsis:
Stephanie Henry was born into the world as a child who was always searching for something to make her feel complete. After a series of nightmares layered trauma upon trauma, she took what little control she had and forced herself to survive. She made a promise to herself that she would be a better mother to her future children than the parenting she received during her younger years.

But as the tragedies and traumas piled up, Stephanie began to lose faith in herself. Slowly her power slipped away from her and cost her the one thing she swore she'd never lose - her daughter. With grit and determination, she fought back at the demons and monsters that were reluctant to release their hold on her until she was able to finally stand on her own. Writing her story to give a voice to the voiceless, Stephanie Henry has shown that one cannot outrun his or her past. How you deal with it shapes your future.

Review:
I found this book at NetGalley while looking through the Non-Fiction section. Ever curious about the lives of other people, I submitted my request to read and review the title. I knew from the book's description that the book would cover subject matter some might find triggering. To those of my readers who need to turn away, please do so. The book covers a wide range of topics that the author encountered during her younger years including molestation, rape, abuse, neglect and the consequences of her own bad choices as an adult.

Because this book was a memoir, the main character centered around the author herself. As she recounted the memories of her early years, it was apparent that she grew up in a time that was much different than we know today. It's easy to forget that it wasn't so long ago that things like computers and cellphones weren't common. Children were raised in a different fashion than they are today. Subjects that are no longer as taboo such as mental illness and addiction were not openly discussed during the time in which the author was a young child or a young adult. That doesn't excuse the crimes done to the child, but it helped to explain the environment in which such activity was overlooked or outright ignored. No doubt that this type of environment played a huge part in the downward spiral the author experienced in her later years.

The book wasn't very graphic when it came to the traumas inflicted upon her. That helped to keep the focus on the author's survival and recovery from the circumstances instead of shining a spotlight on the monsters that inhabited her life. It also allowed the book to flow from one period of her life to the next. I found the pace of the book to be fairly steady from the beginning until it began to near the end. There was a bit of repetition in some areas that had me skipping ahead a bit. Overall, the message of the book wasn't simply one thing, but several including survival, hope, redemption and acceptance.

I did enjoy this book because the author was refreshingly honest within its pages. She held nothing back when writing about her own bad choices and the thought-process, or lack thereof, when making those choices. I have to give her a lot of respect for putting everything out on the table, good or bad. Her stance and work as a missionary and voice to those who cannot speak out for themselves is admirable. I wish her all the best in her future work. This book should be on your TBR list if you are a lover of nonfiction or simply like to read stories about real people overcoming real obstacles and making the world their own.

If Only I Could Sleep: A Survivor's Memoir by Stephanie Henry is currently available at mainly online retailers and local bookstores. It can be purchased in either hardcover or Kindle formats. Clicking the link below will take you to the book's Amazon page.
If Only I Could Sleep: A Survivor's Memoir by Stephanie Henry

Currently Reading

Just a simple and quick post today. It's been a whirlwind of emotions the past few days. A relative of mine passed away unexpectedly and I'm having some trouble processing it. We hadn't always been close, but we were growing closer thanks in large part to shared hobbies. Needless to say, I've been off my game. 


Peeking above the rim of the list are;
The Saeshell Book of Time, Part 1: The Death of Innocents (Children of Sophista #1) by Rusty Biesele
Jackfish Reborn by Rejean Giguere
Pride & Prejudice by Jane Austen
Spear Hunter (Northland Chronicles #2) by Henry J. Olsen
Say You Will (Summerhill Book 1) by Kate Perry



Made an escape from the list;
All We Had: A Novel by Annie Weatherwax


There will be no post/review this Friday. I hate to take another day off from my posting schedule. I simply haven't any books close to being finished under the circumstances in order to make the deadline. My apologizes to those wonderful authors and to you, dear readers.

Until next time,
Kay B

All We Had: A Novel by Annie Weatherwax

Release Date: August 5, 2014
Publisher: Scribner


Rating: 3 out of 5 stars.

Synopsis:
Rita and Ruthie Carmichael have always known hunger and homelessness, but they've always kept their dreams of a big house with a pool and a full scholarship to Harvard alive. After breaking off a disaster of a relationship, the two set off on a cross-country drive with their eyes set on the East coast. Best laid plans often went wrong and for Rita and Ruthie, their plans go haywire before they could get close to their destination.

Stranded in a small town called Fat River, Ruthie and Rita find a sense of stability that they'd been missing for as long as they could remember. Their life took them on a new path, leaving them both scared and excited all at once. But a series of events test their long-held beliefs and the very relationship between mother and daughter. Will they be able to get through the tough times together? Will they find their paths going separate directions after all?

Review:
I found this book on NetGalley while I was browsing for something out of my comfort zone to read. The description provided by the publisher intrigued me. The book sounded like a mix of a down-on-your-luck type of story and a coming-of-age novel. Much of the book surrounded a portion of Rita and Ruthie's life that brought profound change and put them each on a path that they least expected.

Though the story is told through Ruthie's point-of-view, both Ruthie and Rita are the main characters in this memoir-like retelling of their lives. For as long as Ruthie can remember, life with her mother was always a series of jobs with low pay, men with hidden secrets or horrible qualities, and the ever-present dream for Ruthie to attend Harvard. The author set the story in recent times but with the struggle the gals are going through, it almost seemed as though they were living in an earlier decade. A small group of characters, which included a married diner/gas station owner, a transgender waitress, and a head waitress with powerful hot flashes, played crucial parts within the story. I think they had more of an affect on Ruthie than Rita, but there were plenty of moments where the secondary characters had their time in the spotlight as well. These added more depth to the story and the small town of Fat River itself.

One of the things I liked about this story was the pacing. Not only did the story start out with a decent pace and a bit of truth and action, but the pace of the story stayed steady until the end. The author didn't allow the story to become stagnate by recounting each and every detail of the hard life that the characters were living. Time did pass while Ruthie and Rita lived in Fat River, but the routines of their lives were acknowledged without overwhelming the main incidents. I can't say that I could relate to everything that the characters went through, but the feelings of worthlessness and dreams of becoming something more are something I believe most people can understand.

I have to say that I enjoyed this book and the way it looked at the American dream. It's not hard to look around and see people in our neighborhoods that resemble Rita and Ruthie (or any of the other characters, for that matter). The hard part would be in doing something to ease the burden for those whose weights are too much. Though it's not a book I would read over and over, I'm very glad to have gotten a chance to see life through Ruthie's eyes. The relationship between mother and daughter provided both comfort and conflict, which truly made for really good reading. If you're looking for something a little out of the ordinary in a small town with a flavor all its own or a story about overcoming the odds, this is the one you should be reading.

All We Had: A Novel by Annie Weatherwax is currently available at many online retailers as well as local bookstores in your choice of Kindle or hardcover format. The link below will take you to the book's Amazon page.
All We Had: A Novel by Annie Weatherwax

Prime Deception by Carys Jones

Release Date: April 7, 2014
Publisher: Carina UK

Rating: 3 out of 5 stars.

Synopsis:
Falling in love can be a dangerous thing, especially when it involves someone important. The night before she was to reveal her forbidden affair to the reporter of one's of the nation's biggest tabloid newspapers, John Quinn, a tragic car accident claimed the life of Lorna Thomas. Much to John's dismay, the story that could have made him a star reporter died with her - until her sister came to London looking for answers.

Laurie Thomas knew her sister better than most ever would. With death of her twin looming over her, Laurie set out to find the answers behind the so-called accident. She moved to London, began exploring her sister's last moments and enlisted the help of the very man involved in the secret affair. Will Laurie be able to process the truth behind the actions? Will she suffer the same fate as her sister for digging too deep?

Review:
Having received a request from the author to read and give an honest, fair review, I was more than happy to download a copy from NetGalley. The premise of the book fell into one of my favorite categories - Mystery. Right away there's a huge story about to break within the UK about a Deputy Prime Minister and his illicit affair. Initially I thought the book was going to focus on the reporter as he uncovered the truth about the affair and what happened to the players. Instead the twin sister became one of the main characters in which the story followed. The other was Charles, the Deputy Prime Minister, himself.

Given the details that the author included about Charles, it was easy to believe that a man in his position could find himself disenchanted by the pressures and scrutiny of political life. While his wife and other secondary characters reveled in the perks of being part of the elite, he seemed more down-to-earth and homey in ways. Laurie, the twin, was the complete opposite of everything Charles knew about Lorna. It showed well in the pages where she was the focus in the story. There was plenty of good description and exploration of the secondary characters such as Elaine, wife of Charles; Faye, his assistant; and Henry, the driver. However, I thought that Arthur, Laurie's boyfriend, needed to have some of his background explored earlier in the book. It was a little jarring to know so much about him so late in the game.

The book started off well, in my opinion. I was a little taken aback that the story shifted gears so soon after the beginning and went into a different direction than I expected. I truly thought the reporter and the twin sister would be on the hunt and found it entertaining that the ex-lover was driven to investigate instead. I found plenty of action within the pages of this book. In all honesty, there were a couple of times where I found some of the conversations and descriptions to be a little much, but they really didn't impact the story in a negative way for me. There were a few twists that I wasn't expecting, so I would have to say that the author did a good job of keeping me interested until the very end of the book.

Overall, I did enjoy this book more than I anticipated after getting past the first couple of chapters. Plenty of ups and downs to follow through to the end, I was hoping that we'd know the truth behind the death of Lorna. Thankfully the answers are given - though I won't say because SPOILERS! I think the best part of the book for me was the fact that we really got to know more about Charles than anything else. It's not an easy task to bring a character to life when it's the opposite of you, the author. I felt for him when it was all said and done. I do recommend this book to those of you that enjoy mysteries with a dash of romance mixed with a hint of thriller.

Prime Deception by Carys Jones is currently available for purchase at many online retailers in Kindle or digital format. Clicking the link below to visit the book's Amazon page.
Prime Deception by Carys Jones

Currently Reading

Another week has been laid to rest. So glad for it to be over, really. I haven't had much trouble with my health in quite a long while, so this roller coaster of a ride is wearing my patience thin. However, I have been trying to soldier through without getting too frustrated. Not achieving that goal on many days, let me tell you!

No matter what, the books will be read. Reviews will be written. Projects will be worked. Those are my main goals for the year. I want to write but every time I put my fingers on the keys or pen to paper, I stray off into things that aren't in the world I'm supposed to be writing. Maybe NaNoWriMo 2014 will make a difference and kickstart my ability once again. Maybe I needed a break. I don't know.


Climbing the mountain of books atop the pile are:
The Saeshell Book of Time, Part 1: The Death of Innocents (Children of Sophista #1) by Rusty Biesele
Jackfish Reborn by Rejean Giguere
Pride & Prejudice by Jane Austen
Spear Hunter (Northland Chronicles #2) by Henry J. Olsen
All We Had: A Novel by Annie Weatherwax
Say You Will (Summerhill Book 1) by Kate Perry



Knocked off the top are:
Prime Deception by Carys Jones


For now, it's one step at a time. I truly hope the Fall brings much needed rest and restarts my creativity as it sometimes does. What's your favorite part of Fall? Is it the cooler temperatures or the yummy treats that come alive during this time?

Until next time,
Kay B