Review: Devil in the White City

Erik Larson

"Bringing Chicago circa 1893 to vivid life, Erik Larson's spell-binding bestseller intertwines the true tale of two men--the brilliant architect behind the legendary 1893 World's Fair, striving to secure America's place in the world; and the cunning serial killer who used the fair to lure his victims to their death.  Combining meticulous research with nail-biting storytelling, Erik Larson has crafted a narrative with all the wonder of newly discovered history and the thrills of the best fiction."

My Take:

The organization of this book was very much Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde.  The Dr. Jekyll part of the book was when the story focused on the mild mannered and genius designer of the World's Fair, and the Mr. Hyde chapters were when the book focused on the serial killer H.H. Holmes. The Mr. Hyde aspect is based on a man that I am utterly shocked isn't ensconced in pop culture as thoroughly as others such as Jack the Ripper.  Seriously, Wikipedia this guy, you'll be shocked too.  Talk about maniacal!  This man built an entire business park/hotel/boarding house around his desire to maim, murder and torture women.  He had secret "disposal" chutes built in, secret passageways, secret body burning furnaces, secret anything a building dubbed "murder castle" would require.    I found these chapters absolutely fascinating.  I felt the author did a fabulous job of getting into his head.  When the book would shift focus from the building of the fair to Holmes, an eerie atmosphere would envelop you and totally creep you out.  I loved it.

As far as the Dr. Jekyll parts, dedicated to the great Architect of the Chicago World's Fair, well.....it was just okay.  At the beginning it was fine, but I quickly realized that his story just wasn't up my alley.  I'm not all that interested in reading about architecture.  Looking at beautiful buildings, yes, but reading about their construction? Not so much.  Dr. Jekyll just didn't hold my attention and about a third the way through, I started skimming those sections, and about two thirds through, I began skipping them altogether.  I felt like the two interweaving stories were for two entirely different sets of readers.  

I have to say that altogether this book was pretty good.  It was impeccably researched and crafted in such a way that it read like fiction.  There is no denying that this author is flat out fantastic.  His writing is wonderful, it's just that half of the subject matter wasn't for me.  When a coworker told me about this book, I was very intrigued by his description. He told me that "juxtaposing of the master builder and the master destroyer was riveting."  I don't think it quite lived up to that description, but I do think the author's telling of the absolute horror that was H. H. Holmes shoots this book up to the top of my ratings list.  I'm going to rate this book a 2, Borders with a Coupon.  It's definitely worth a read, especially if you are a fan of true crime.

Tell me what you think!  

Have you read this book, or anything else by Erik Larson?  

Do you think I am totally off base in my review?  

What do you think of the cover?

Hit the comments and let me know!

If the Devil in the White City was a movie, it would likely be rated a very mild PG-13.  This is only for the subject matter at hand: a serial killer.  The details of the slayings aren't' really discussed throughout the book, but I think the subject matter is enough (barely) to warrant a PG-13. 

***FTC Disclosure:  Devil in the White City was borrowed from a friend.  No compensation was given, all opinions are my own***

Dracula in Love

I'm very excited to participate in this blog tour.  A big ol' thanks to Amy at Historical Fiction Virtual Book Tours for giving me the opportunity to participate.  I am always so grateful when I am able to participate in things like this.  Anyway, below you'll find all sorts of good stuff.  We've got my review, a book trailer and some really awesome links for anyone wanting to learn more.  Enjoy!  (P.S. stay tuned for a guest post later this week!)

Karen Essex

"Reader, you are about to enter a world that exists simultaneous with your own. But be warned: in its realm, there are no rules, and there is certainly no neat formula to become—or to destroy—one who has risen above the human condition…The truth is, we must fear monsters less and be warier of our own kind."

London, 1890. Mina Murray, the rosy-cheeked, quintessentially pure Victorian heroine, becomes Count Dracula’s object of desire. To preserve her chastity, five male “defenders” rush in to rescue her from the vampire’s evil clutches. This is the version of the story we've been told. But now, from Mina’s own pen, we discover that the story is vastly different when told from the female point of view.

My Take:

This is a tough review for me to put into words.  But I'm just gonna soldier on and hope I can string together a coherent sentence or two :)  First off, let me say that I found Dracula in Love to be extraordinarily engaging and very well written.  I liked the strong female characters (but hated the semi demonization of the men, yes women were oppressed at the time but that doesn't mean every man was super sexist/chauvinistic as they all seemed in the book) and I really enjoyed the super random twist on the original story.  I loved the Irish fairy twist which seemed totally out of place in a retelling of Dracula, but in my opinion, it worked.  Now, there were some things I didn't love.  First and foremost, there was a bit of random folklore and mythology told in the first half of the book or so, which, while interesting, didn't really do much to further the story, and didn't pop up later, as I expected.  I hesitate to call it filler, as it was very intriguing, but just didn't give the book any forward motion, thus feeling a bit filler-y.  Also, I'm not quite sure how I feel about the ending.  I think it was probably the most appropriate ending for the story, but I didn't love it, it was a tad anti climactic.  Though I didn't love the end, it definitely didn't ruin the overall book.  I'm always a huge fan of retelling from other points of view, and I think that the author gave Mina Harker a great voice.  She was a practical woman for her time.  She was smart.  She knew her realistic limitations and was happy with her lot in life overall.  This was a really enjoyable book, I loved the creepy tone and I LOOOOOVE the cover!  Just like this was a toughie for me to review, it was a toughie for me to rate.  While there were some things I didn't love about the book, it had a lot of resonance, that elusive indescribable "it-factor" which keeps you thinking about the book long after you've read it, and is one of the most important aspects for me to consider when rating a book.  This in mind, I rate Dracula in Love a 2, Borders with a Coupon

Tell me what you think! What do you think about a redo of a classic like Dracula?  Do you enjoy retellings from another point of view?  Have you read Dracula in Love?  What did you think of it? Hit the comments!

If Dracula in Love was a movie it would likely be rated R for sexual content and mild violence (the violence by itself is definitely more in the PG-PG-13 range)

Whats that you ask?  You want to watch the book trailer?  Well...



If you are interested in learning more about the book, the author, etc. here you go:

• Dracula in Love Book Trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xgHRtNHZiQI
• Link to tour schedule:  http://hfvirtualbooktours.blogspot.com/2011/07/virtual-book-tour-dracula-in-love-by.html
• Karen's Website:  http://www.karenessex.com/
• Karen's Blog:  http://www.karenessex.com/blog/
• Karen's Facebook Page:  http://www.facebook.com/home.php#!/profile.php?id=1060811184

***FTC Disclosure:  Dracula in Love was provided free of charge in exchange for an honest review.  No other compensation was given, all opinions are my own***

If you are interested in purchasing Dracula in Love, please consider supporting The Book Buff by purchasing from the following Amazon link, thank you!

             

  

Sharpshooter in Petticoats

Mary Connealy

After a disastrous marriage, widow Mandy McClellen Gray is doing just fine in her remote mountain home.  She's got her three children to keep her company and gold in the bank to keep her solvent.  The last thing she needs right now is a cantankerous cowboy encroaching on her life.

Rancher Tom Linscott is as tough and cranky as his unruly stallion.  When he finds outlaws have trapped Mandy on her mountain, he's determined to rescue her, whether she wants to be saved or not.  Only problems is, Mandy's trouble follows her.  When he brings her to his home--against her will--outlaws trail then right to his door.

When  the feuding family expands their vengeful plans to include Tom, his need to protect his woman puts him right in the line of fire.

My Take:

Growing up I did a lot of stuff to be like my dad.  As a kid, I thought blue cheese dressing was quite possibly the nastiest thing on planet earth, but I ate it all the time because that's what my dad ate.  I read Lord of the Rings in elementary school because they were my dad's favorite books, though I had to take it one line at a time and consult a dictionary constantly.  I ate sushi with a smile concealing a gag reflex. I watched James Bond movies completely confused by the Cold War intrigue (I was 2 when the Berlin Wall came down, so I didn't grow up in the height of it). Whodathunk that eating and doing these things as a kid would make them my favorite things as an adult.  I can't get enough blue cheese and sushi (though not at the same time-gross!), I am an avid Lord of the Rings fan, and I go to the midnight release of every James Bond movie and actually understand the plots (mm'mm Daniel Craig, be still my beating heart).  

Well, in all of the things I did to be like my dad, one thing stands out as the thing I most love: reading amazing Westerns a la Louis L'Amour.  I don't read as many as I used to, because I've read everything by my beloved Louis, and other westerns just can't stand up in comparison.  So in my oh so verbose and "I digress" sort of way, I'm trying to point out that westerns were a very important part of my childhood and I'm picky about them and I really enjoyed Sharpshooter in Petticoats.  The author really seemed to know what she was talking about.  As I've mentioned before on my blog, I grew up in rural Nevada, where they pronounce "creek" as "crick" etc. so I have a healthy appreciation for all things outdoorsy including hunting fishing and firearms.  I cringe a bit in most books when firearms are brought up, because most of the time, I can see write through the author attempting to sound knowledgeable and it really bugs me.  This is especially key to westerns, because whether you are pro or anti gun, there is no denying that they were an integral part of the old west, and an authentic knowledge is essential.  Sharpshooter in Petticoats is, I believe, the third book in the the Sophie's Daughters series, but it was the first one I read.  I absolutely enjoyed it and never felt lost or that I'd missed out because I hadn't read the previous books.  I did get very interested in the other character's stories and I can't wait to read the other books.  If you enjoy a good western, I'm sure you'll enjoy this book.  The characters are rough, gruff and often down right mean, the action is good, the scenery is beautiful and the romance was practical yet sweet. Now, I'm nothing if but honest on this blog, so I do have to say that Sharpshooter in Petticoats was no Louis L'Amour, but it was a great book nonetheless and I rate it a 2, Borders with a Coupon.

Tell me what you think!  Do you enjoy westerns?  Have you ever read Louis L'Amour?  Have you read any of the books in this series?  Which is your favorite?  Hit the comments!

If Sharpshooter in Petticoats was a movie it would likely be rated PG for some mild violence and mildly suggestive material (references to "wifely thoughts" or "being a wife in every way")

***FTC Disclosure: This book was provided by the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review, no other compensation was given, all opinions are my own***

If you are interested in purchasing the Sharpshooter in Petticoats, or any of the books from the Sophie's Daughters Series, please consider supporting The Book Buff by purchasing from the following Amazon links, thank you!

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Kindle:
 

Beauty and the Beast

Arnold Arluke and Robert Bogdan

From fairy tales to photography, nowhere is the complexity of human-
animal relationships more apparent than in the creative arts. Art illuminates the nature and significance of animals in modern, Western thought, capturing the complicated union that has long existed between the animal kingdom and us. In Beauty and the Beast, authors Arluke and Bogdan explore this relationship through the unique lens of photo postcards. This visual medium offers an enormous and relatively untapped archive to document their subject compellingly.
 

The importance of photo postcards goes beyond their abundance. Recognized as the people s photography, photo postcards were typically taken by photographers who were part of the community they were photographing. Their intimacy with the people and places they captured resulted in a vernacular record of the life and times of the period unavailable in other kinds of photography. Arluke and Bogdan use these postcards to tell the story of human-animal relations in the United States from approximately 1905 to 1935. During these years, Americans experienced profound changes that altered their connection with animals and influenced perceptions and treatment of them today. Wide-ranging in scope, Beauty and the Beast looks at the variety of roles animals played in society, from pets and laborers to symbols and prey. The authors discuss the contradictions, dualisms, and paradoxes of our relationship to animals, illustrating how animals were distanced and embraced, commoditized and anthropomorphized. With over 350 illustrations, this book presents a vivid chronicle of the deep cultural ambivalence that characterized human-animal relations in the early twentieth century and that continues today.

My Take:

Describe Beauty and the Beast in one word you ask?  Thorough.  Well, maybe you didn't ask, but too bad, I told you anyway.  I was very surprised by this book, I was expecting some cool pictures with a tad bit of social commentary and bam!  Done.  Well, no, it was much more...well...thorough, than that.  The authors chose a specific period of time (1905-1935) in which to study photographs of human/animal relations in specific categories such as pets, mascots, workers, food, vermin, and symbols.  The writing, though very involved, was very interesting.  It is not what one would consider light reading, but I enjoyed it nonetheless.  While I did enjoy the written analysis of the photos, the photos themselves were my favorite part.  They displayed a wonderful cross section of animal interaction, some beautiful, some funny, some sad.  This book is very straightforward, which makes it very easy to asses a person's interest.  If you enjoy old photographs, are interested in the subject matter, and aren't afraid of some heavy reading, you'll enjoy this book.  I know I did.  2, Borders with a Coupon

I want to know what you think: Does this sound like a book you'd enjoy?  Are you interested in historic photographs and art?  If so, what is your favorite time period and why?  Hit the comments!

The images in this book are rated PG.  There is a picture of breeding horses and gutted animals hanging up in  slaughterhouses

***FTC Disclosure:  This e-book was provided by the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review, no other compensation was given, all opinions are my own***

If you are interested in purchasing Beauty and the Beast, please consider supporting The Book Buff by purchasing from the following Amazon link, thank you!

Scandal of the Year

Laura Lee Guhrke

One tryst was all she wanted...

From their very first meeting, Julia knew that Aidan Carr, the oh-so-proper Duke of Trathen, had a bit of the devil in him, a devil who secretly yearned for what he could not have, a devil who harbored a desire for her. So when she needed to be caught in a compromising situation, Aidan was the answer to her prayers.

One tryst just wasn't enough...


Aidan is supposed to be looking for a bride, yet his scandalous liaison with Julia is all he can think about. Memories of kissing her skin, falling into her bed, continue to torment and tempt him. What is it about this brazen seductress that he finds so hard to resist? And how can he stop himself from falling into her bed a second time?

My Take:

Scandal of the Year is the second of book of the Abandoned at the Altar series and definitely the best so far.  While the first one, Wedding of the Season, lacked spice, Scandal of the Year did a million times better in that department.  The main character, Julia (cousin of the main character from the first book) is a very interesting and surprisingly complex character.  She is battling her attraction to her cousin's former fiance, Aiden Carr, who is of the strong and silent variety (and a Duke no less, which always sends hearts aflutter in the historical romance genre)  Anyway, the storyline is much more unconventional, as the "deed" has already been done previous to the start of the book, but that does nothing to dampen the tension between the two.  Another improvement upon the first book is that there was a villain; he was definitely in the background and I think only actually appeared in the book once, but he is the catalyst for Julia's (supposed) scandal and infamy within her social circle.  I always love watching a straight laced nice guy loosen up a bit due to the untamed beauty he finds himself attracted to, and I think Aiden fit the bill just right.  While he seemed very boring in the first book, you get inside his head in this one and are treated to an interesting surprise: he isn't all manner and formality, he thinks just as scandalous of thoughts as everyone else in a romance novel.  I think the character development and plot were fantastic in the book, it really is everything you want in a romance novel.  I highly recommend Scandal of the Year to romance lovers.  2, Border with a Coupon

Do you agree with my review?  Do you think I'm totally off base?  Either way I'd love to hear from you, be sure to leave a comment and tel me how you feel!

If Scandal of the Year was a movie, it would likely be rated PG-13 for sexual content

***FTC Disclosure:  This book was provided by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review, no other compensation was given, all opinions are my own***

If you are interested in purchasing Scandal of the Year, please consider supporting The Book Buff by purchasing from the following Amazon link, thank you!

Ten Ruby Trick

Julia Knight

Privateer Van Gast thrills in capturing treasure; delights in pulling off elaborate scams; and has an outrageous reputation with the ladies. But there is only one woman for him: fellow privateer Josie-seductive, brave and unpredictable. He's hoping to make their relationship permanent, until he raids the wrong ship. Now slavers are stalking him, his crew is verging on mutiny and Josie has disappeared. 

When she reappears with a new mark wanting Van Gast's help running the ten ruby trick con, he senses trouble. It seems like Josie has joined up with mage-bound slavers to turn him over to their Master. Van Gast is about to take the biggest risk of all-and find out the true meaning of trust and betrayal.

My Take:

Are you looking for a book with mages who's magic manifests itself in the form of crystals growing out of the mage's skin who enslaves his people with a little wiggly silver worm that attaches itself to the bone controlling the enslaved's mind and body and if the enslaved tries to fight it black lines of poison spread out all over the body thus killing the person?  What's that you say?  You weren't looking for something quite that specific?  Oh. Well...you need to check this book out anyway :)  It's not often I come across a book that is truly different without feeling artificial or contrived.  I was really surprised at just how much I did enjoy the odd little universe in Ten Ruby Trick.  The vibe was very much the golden age of piracy with cutlasses and pillaged treasure while adding in a fantasy element with mages and mystical slavery.  Of course if I'm going to talk about the things I liked in the book, I can't leave out the classic "old lost love vs. new love" love triangle with three very interesting characters.  One of which is a bonded slave, Holden, with no free will, the other two being notorious "racks" (pirates) Josie and Van Gast who, while deeply in love, maintain their reputation of being the most bitter of enemies to better scam unsuspecting victims.  Honestly, this book has it all: danger, magic, sexy swashbuckling anti-heroes, a fierce and strong female protagonist, and several twists to keep you guessing until the very end. Really, the only thing I didn't like was the excessive language.  The sheer volume of f-words felt very forced to me and was quite distracting.  Had that been toned down this book would have been perfection.  That being said I rate Ten Ruby Trick a 2, Borders with a Coupon

Do you agree with my review?  Do you think I'm totally off base?  Either way I'd love to hear from you, be sure to leave a comment and tell me how you feel!

If Ten Ruby Trick was a movie, it would be rated R for mild sexual content, violence and excessive language

***FTC Disclosure:  This book was provided by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review, no other compensation was given, all opinions are my own***

If you are interested in purchasing Ten Ruby Trick, please consider supporting The Book Buff by purchasing from the following Amazon link, thank you!

The Tudor Secret

C.W. Gortner

The era of the Tudors was one of danger, intrigue, conspiracy, and, above all, spies.

Summer 1553: a time of danger and deceit.  Brenden Prescott, an orphan, is reared in the household of the powerful Dudley family.  Brought to court, Prescott finds himself sent on an illicit mission to the king's brilliant but enigmatic sister, Princess Elizabeth.  But Brenden is soon compelled to work as a double agent by Elizabeth's protector, William Cecil,who promises in exchange to help him unravel the secret of his own mysterious past.

A dark plot swirls around Elizabeth's quest to unravel the truth about the ominous disappearance of her seriously ill brother, King Edward VI.  With only a bold stable boy and an audacious lady-in-waiting at his side, Brendan plunges into a ruthless gambit of half-truths, lies, and murder.  Filled with the intrigue and pageantry of Tudor England, The Tudor Secret is the first book in the Elizabeth I Spymaster Chronicles. 

My Take:

I must admit, I count myself among the legions of fans obsessed with the Tudor Era.  The scandal, the romance, the intrigue, the beheadings, the phantom pregnancies, blah blah blah I eat it all up!  I really enjoyed the fact that The Tudor Secret took place during one of my favorite time periods, but from the perspective of someone different.  I've read a million books on the same 5 or so people's point of view, you know I love you  Queen Elizabeth I, but hey, I wanna hear what someone else has to say!  Enter Brenden Prescott, supposed humbling foundling thrust into the world of ultra deadly intrigue that surrounded this particular court.  He had a fresh, idealistic perspective that was very naive at first, but very noble and likable.  Normally, I don't love the books that focus so much on the political "so and so works for so and so who is the sworn enemy of so and so who casts their lot in with displaced royal so and so" but I tell ya, The Tudor Secret was all about the political and it was exciting.  There were more than a few unexpected twists and turns that had me flying through this book in record time.   Now, this book is absolutely more fictionalized than a lot of other books of this genre, heck, the main character, his entire storyline and his romantic interest are all fictional, but I didn't mind.  I really felt like the point of the book was to get across how treacherous and downright frightening this court really was, how literally one wrong word spoken at the wrong time could cause you to lose your head.  Reading the book from the perspective of one who has no power and no leverage, and must watch every word he says almost makes you feel paranoid and claustrophobic, in a very intense and exciting way.   Now I have to say, there was a time or two when something would happen and I'd think, okay, that went a little too smoothly, I think something really bad is about to happen--but it didn't.  While at times it did seem too easy, it didn't take way from the overall excitement of the book.  I really enjoyed this Tudor thriller and I can't wait to read the rest of the series.  The Tudor Secret only covered a very short period of time, there is so much more to read about!  With all of this in mind, I rate The Tudor Secret a 2, Borders with a Coupon

Do you agree with my review?  Do you think I'm totally off base?  Either way I'd love to hear from you, be sure to leave a comment and tell me how you feel!

If The Tudor Secret was a movie, it would likely be rated a very light PG-13 for some violence and one instance of relatively sedate sexual content

***FTC Disclosure:  This book was provided by the author in exchange for an honest review, no other compensation was given, all opinions are my own***

If you are interested in purchasing The Tudor Secret, please consider supporting The Book Buff by purchasing from the following Amazon link, thank you!

The Emporer's Tomb

Steve Berry

Hearing that his old friend Cassiopeia Vitt is in trouble, Malone follows the few clues he has and realizes that they are in the middle of something huge, involving Russian and US oil interests and a centuries-old secret. After stumbling across two dead bodies and into the cross hairs of his former boss, Malone finds himself in a race to unravel the mystery of an emperor's tomb, a sinister society, and a deadly battle between two ruthless men for supremacy in China -- and the world.

My Take:

Growing up, I was always trying to be just like my dad and copied everything he did.  Most of the things I picked up on as I tried to emulate him have stuck with me in adulthood, not the least of which is my love of reading.  Specifically adventure novels in the vein of Clive Cussler and slightly more political, Tom Clancy.  I remember reading them in elementary school not really understanding them, but determined to muddle through so that I could discuss them with my dad.  As I grew up, I understood them more and my love for them remains.  When I was contacted to review this book, I did a bit of research on Steve Berry, and when many people compared him to Clive Cussler, I knew before I read the book that I'd found a new favorite author.  After reading the book, I wasn't disappointed!  The story (if implausible at times) was exciting and the pacing for the most part was steady and entertaining.  As this was my first read in the series, I wasn't sure if I'd be lost regarding the main character's back stories.  I had no problems whatsoever, I didn't feel lost once.  I really loved the abundance of historical info on Chinese culture, which I find absolutely fascinating.  Berry really captures the intriguing history and uses it as a rich backdrop for a modern political thriller.  The Emperor's Tomb is exciting, informative and extremely entertaining.  Overall I thought the book was great, but could have been just a tad shorter, and the pacing felt sluggish a time or two.  2, Borders with a Coupon.  I can't wait to read more from this author, I can't wait to sink my teeth into some of his Russia centric novels.

Do you agree with my review?  Do you think I'm totally off base?  Either way I'd love to hear from you, be sure to leave a comment and tell me how you feel!

If The Emperor's Tomb was a movie, it would be rated PG-13

***FTC Disclosure:  This book was provided in exchange for an honest review, no other compensation was given, all opinions are my own***

If you are interested in purchasing The Emperor's Tomb, please consider supporting The Book Buff by purchasing from the following Amazon link, thank you!

If you enjoyed this review, feel free to leave The Book Buff a tip in "Kate's Tip Jar" located on the sidebar.  All tips are anonymous and in no way affect any of my reviews, thanks a ton!

Halo

Alexandra Adornetto

An Angel is sent to earth on a mission.  But falling in love is not part of the plan.

Three angels--Gabriel, the warrior; Ivy, the healer; and Bethany, the youngest and most human--are sent by Heaven to bring good to a world falling under the influence of darkness.  They work hard to conceal their luminous glow, superhuman powers, and, most dangerous of all, their wings, all the while avoiding all human attachments.

Then Bethany meets Xavier Woods, and neither of them is able to resist the attraction between them.  Gabriel and Ivy do everything in their power to intervene, but the bond between Xavier and Bethany seems too strong.

The angel's mission is urgent, and dark forces are threatening.  Will love ruin Bethany or save her?

My Take:

After I finished Halo, I knew it would be a polarizing book.  Many people are calling it a Twilight ripoff, but I am not one who believes that Twilight is the end all be all of YA paranormal, so I have to say I don't agree with that specific criticism.  I really enjoyed the book, but I would like to give a slight warning to some people.  I know a lot of YA paranormal fans really like the darker books that are super edgy and have the bad boy as the love interest.  Be ye therefore warned that the main character is an angel (figuratively and literally) and her love interest is a non-brooding good boy and the bad boy of the story is actually the bad guy.  If you are looking for edgy, you are in the wrong place.  I do like to read edgier books, but since in real life I like the good boys (bad boys always just seem like too much work for me) this book appealed to me.  It was a refreshing breath of air to read about a non-brooder and take a step back from the vampire/werewolf stuff.  Xavier was a character I really liked.  He was a popular jock (which I don't usually like), but his popularity came not just from his good looks, but his kind heart.  He also had a great sense of humor, something I can't resist.  I was very impressed by the writing in this book, especially since it was written by a teenager.  It was very descriptive, but not as much as say Tolkien, who can take a chapter to describe a tree (don't get me wrong, Tolkien is one of my all time favorite authors, I'm just saying few authors can pull it off, so its good that most don't try)  The book itself is a bit long and was a tad slow in parts, but I think it serves as a good setup book, as it is the first in a trilogy.  Some of the characters were a bit flat, such as the main character's stoic angel brother and sister, but I have a feeling their characters will be explored later on and given a bit more depth.  I am excited to read the next books in the series, and I look forward to more from this author.  She has undeniable talent and has some really great ideas.  2, Borders with a Coupon

Do you agree with my review, do you think I'm totally off base?  Either way I'd love to hear from you, be sure to leave a comment and tell me how you feel!

If Halo were a movie it would likely be rated PG for some sexual discussion and mild language

***FTC Disclosure:  This book was provided in exchange for an honest review, no other compensation was given, all opinions are my own***

If you are interested in purchasing Halo, please consider supporting The Book Buff by purchasing from the following Amazon link, thank you!

If you enjoyed this review, feel free to leave The Book Buff a tip in "Kate's Tip Jar" located on the sidebar.  All tips are anonymous and in no way affect any of my reviews, thanks a ton!

Helen of Pasadena

Lian Dolan

Helen Fairchild, is leading a privileged Pasadena existence: married to a pillar of the community; raising a water polo- playing son destined for the most select high school; volunteering her time on the most fashionable committees. It only bothers Helen a tiny bit the she has never quite fit in with the proper Pasadena crowd or finished that graduate degree in Classics or had that second baby. The rigid rules of society in Pasadena appeal to Helen, the daughter of Oregon "fiber artists", even if she'll never be on the inside.  And then along comes a Rose Parade float, killing her philandering husband and leaving Helen broke, out of her "forever"  house, and scrambling to salvage her once-rarefied existence. Enter Dr. Patrick O'Neill, noted archaeologist, excavator of Troy, and wearer of adorable nubby sweaters. A job as Dr. O'Neill's research assistant is the lifeline Helen needs to re-invent herself professionally, personally, and romantically. Helen's world widens to include a Hollywood star, a local gossip columnist, an old college nemesis, a high-powered Neutron Mom, an unforgiving admissions director, the best Armenian real estate agent in the biz, and, of course, the intriguing Patrick O'Neill.  While uncovering secrets about Ancient Troy alongside her archaeologist, Helen discovers something much more: a new sense of self and a new love.

My Take:

I do enjoy chic lit, but sometimes, the stories and writing styles bleed together because they can be so similar.  What I really enjoyed about Helen of Pasadena was the smart and snappy writing set it apart from the rest of the genre.  Now, thankfully I have not had to deal with pretentious "old money" people, but it seemed to me that the author really grounded her characters in the reality of that world.  As the reader watches Helen attempt to navigate such a unnecessarily complex society, you really feel for her and care about what happens to her, especially in regard to her hunk of a boss.  While the characters were strong and interesting, my very favorite part was, as I mentioned before, the writing.  I love spot on social commentary which isn't so heavy handed with a "know-it-all" vibe.  Many of the author's observations about Pasadena can easily be transferred to just about any sub culture, which makes it relatable and hilarious for every reader.  Her insights are always chuckle worthy, and many times, out right laugh-inducing.  I absolutely loved this book, and to put a cherry on top, there is a lot of Greek classics content (but in very relevant context), which always makes me happy :)  If you haven't really ever been able to get into the chic lit, this is a great book to get you interested in the genre.  It is smart, hilarious and a definite page turner.  2, Borders with a Coupon 

Do you agree with my review?  Do you think I'm totally off base?  Either way I'd love to hear from you, be sure to leave a comment and tell me how you feel!

If Helen of Pasadena was a movie, it would be rated PG-13

***FTC Disclosure:  This book was provided as part of a Pump Up Your Book! Blog Tour in exchange for an honest review, no other compensation was given, all opinions are my own***

If you are interested in purchasing Helen of Pasadena, please consider supporting The Book Buff by purchasing from the following Amazon link, thank you!

If you enjoyed this review, feel free to leave The Book Buff a tip in "Kate's Tip Jar" located on the sidebar.  All tips are anonymous and in no way affect any of my reviews, thanks a ton!

The Doggy Divas: Roxy's Rules

Lauren Brown

From head of the pack to lone, lone wolf!

Roxy Davis is in the dog house.  Big time.  After kissing her BFF's crush over summer break, Roxy finds herself banished to the company of Monroe Middle School misfits Georgia and Kim.  And when things can't get any worse, the town dog walkers go on strike.  Dogs are running wild, giving Roxy the bright idea to recruit her fellow outcasts to start their very own dog walking business.

Roxy soon learns that pampering pooches will not only earn her points for cleaning up the neighborhood, but will also teach her a thing or two about friendship.

My Take:

I really enjoyed this syrupy sweet little book.  The plot focused on the classic "popular girl falls from grace and discovers true friendship with underdogs" storyline that is so common in books of this genre.  But plot isn't everything, the writing is much more important, and this book is very well written.  It is obvious that the author of this book is very in the know on what technology kids are embracing, namely Twitter and Facebook.  The author is also very in tune with tween girls and I felt that the book was quite authentic in the dialogue.  She didn't go overboard with the teenspeak, which is good, because when an author does that, they don't make their book sound younger but instead end up aging themselves.  There were lots of cute things about the book, but my favorite parts were the "Doggy Confessionals" which were featured at the end of each chapter.  The dogs were observant,very insightful and sassy, much more so that their human counterparts.  The Doggy Confessionals are definitely what sets The Doggy Divas: Roxy's Rules apart from other books with similar premises.  Overall I really enjoyed this book, but as with many of the books written for those of a younger demographic, there were definitely some logic leaps where you have to force yourself not to over think.  I don't really mind this, as I believe it to be a perfectly acceptable writing device in a book for a 9 year old girl. I tried not to think too hard on why a dog walker's strike would lead to dogs freely roaming the halls of the local middle school (why not just lock them up in cages and dog runs?), because ultimately, it didn't really matter.  The book isn't meant to be a deep character study into the human condition blah blah blah, its just meant to be fluffy fun, and it absolutely is.  This book is a great price and a good book for a young girl, I'd say, 2 Borders with a Coupon.

Do you agree with my review?  Do you think I'm totally off base?  Either way I''d love to hear from you, be sure to leave a comment and tell me how you feel!

If Doggy Divas: Roxy's Rules was a movie, it would be rated G, appropriate for all audiences

***FTC Disclosure:  This book was provided in exchange for an honest review, no other compensation was given, all opinions are my own***

If you are interested in purchasing Doggy Divas: Roxy's Rules, please consider supporting The Book buff by purchasing from the following Amazon link, thank you!

If you enjoyed the review, feel free to leave a "tip" in  Kate's Tip Jar found on the sidebar.  All tips are anonymous and in no way affect my reviews, thanks!

Havah: The Story of Eve

Tosca Lee

Eve...

Myth and legend shroud her in mystery.  Now hear her story...

From Paradise to exile, from immortality to the death of Adam, experience the dawn of mankind through the eyes of the woman first known as...Havah.

My Take:

It's tough to put a new spin on an old classic, and since this is the story of Adam and Eve, it is especially difficult, because its not just any old classic, its the old classic.  I really enjoyed (for the most part) the flowery writing style which created a wonderful dreamlike atmosphere at the beginning, but got a smidge old as the book went on.  I love to read people's interpretations of the motivation behind decisions made by famous religious and historical people, and Havah did not disappoint.  I felt the evolution of her character was wonderful, and I really felt like you could relate to a lot of the problems in her life, maybe not the actual problems themselves (last I checked I didn't get myself expelled from the Garden of Eden :) but just the heartache behind decisions we regret and learning to deal with life in general.  Sometimes, after reading as many books as I do, some of the stories can start to feel a bit generic and stagnant.  If you find this is happening to you, take a peek at Havah, it will definitely freshen things up for you :)  Sometimes the writing felt a bit like the thesaurus may have been overused, but you get used to it and overlook it.  2, Borders with a Coupon

Do you agree with my review?  Do you think I'm totally off base?  Either way I'd love to hear from you, be sure to leave a comment and tell me how you feel!

If Havah were a movie, it would likely be rated PG-13 for adult content

***FTC Disclosure:  This book was provided in exchange for an honest review, no other compensation was given, all opinions are my own***

If you are interested in purchasing Havah, please consider supporting The Book Buff by purchasing from the following Amazon link, thank you!

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Safe Haven

Nicholas Sparks

When a mysterious young woman named Katie appears in the small North Carolina town of Southport, her sudden arrival raises questions about her past. Beautiful yet self-effacing, Katie seems determined to avoid forming personal ties until a series of events draws her into two reluctant relationships: one with Alex, a widowed store owner with a kind heart and two young children; and another with her plainspoken single neighbor, Jo. Despite her reservations, Katie slowly begins to let down her guard, putting down roots in the close-knit community and becoming increasingly attached to Alex and his family.

But even as Katie begins to fall in love, she struggles with the dark secret that still haunts and terrifies her . . . a past that set her on a fearful, shattering journey across the country, to the sheltered oasis of Southport. With Jo's empathic and stubborn support, Katie eventually realizes that she must choose between a life of transient safety and one of riskier rewards . . . and that in the darkest hour, love is the only true safe haven.

My Take:

Safe Haven was classic Nicholas Sparks, slow (in a good way) pacing, relaxed, takes time to familiarize the reader with the unique characters, you know, the usual good stuff.  I won't tell you the reason behind this particular feeling, because I don't like to give away spoilers, but the absolute claustrophobia and paranoia the main character was feeling throughout the book was probably what hit me the hardest.  There were times when I really almost cried for this poor woman (but I'm not a crier with books and movies, if you are, this book WILL make you cry!  Especially the ending.)  Of course, the romantic interest, Alex, is wonderful, but in the most realistic way. He is multidimensional, and is taken further than the mere token widower/loving single father of many romance novels.  Surprisingly, I didn't feel as if the romance was the main focus of the story, it sort of happened quite easily and early on.  The real story is all about Katie's past. and how it comes full circle at the end.  Speaking of the ending, there is a wonderfully sweet little surprise waiting for the reader.  It could have been very cheesy, but instead was heartfelt and beautiful.  I wont even give you a hint as to what the surprise is because I don't want to ruin it.  I have only one aspect I didn't love, and that was a bit too much of the villain's angry inner monologue toward the end of the book.  It was very repetitive, which was fine at first, because it highlighted his insane state of mind, but at some point it was just like okay, we get it, he's nuts, now move on!  Other than that very tiny thing, I absolutely loved this book and give it a 2, Borders with a Coupon

Audiobook Review: This was a wonderful audiobook!  I felt like the actress' performance was understated and powerful.  Her accents were spot on and not distracting (which is tough to pull off for a Bostonian accent) and she gave each character their own distinct (but again not distracting) voice.  I highly recommend this audiobok!

Do you agree with my review?  Do you think I'm totally off base?  Either way I'd love to hear from you, be sure to leave a comment and tell me how you feel!

If this book were a movie it would likely be rated a light PG-13 for some sexuality and violence

***FTC Disclosure:  This book was provided in exchange for an honest review, no other compensation was given, all opinions are my own***

If you are interested in purchasing Safe Haven, please consider supporting The Book Buff by purchasing from the following Amazon links, thank you!

Facelift

Leanna Ellis

Kaye Redmond stages houses for resale, so masking trouble spots with strategic decor comes naturally.  She does it in her personal life as well--her can-do attitude and ready smile disguising the emotional wear-and-tear of a failed marriage and raising a teenage daughter alone.  But when her former mother-in-law comes back around, desperate for a place to stay while recovering from a botched facelift, Kaye begins to realize that there's a much more authentic way to brighten one's countenance: look to God and His plan for her life.

My Take:

If you are familiar with my review style, you will probably know that I am a big believer in appreciating a book for what it is intended to be.  Facelift is intended to be a sweet, inspiring little story, and it is, its not a life changer, just an enjoyable little page turner.  It is predictable, but the ending is fulfilling nonetheless.  The reader is privileged to meet a strong, woman who is someone you can look up to and relate to, even though she is in complete denial about her awful ex husband.  I really enjoyed her character, as she navigated her way through the trials of learning to feel good about herself, despite the wear and tear years and stress have forced her to endure.  I think this is a book women of all ages can really enjoy, but I definitely see it appealing to more middle aged women, because they will be able to relate all the more.  I felt as though the other characters in the book were well fleshed out, although some of the antagonists were a bit one dimensional, it didn't really matter, because the story wasn't about them or their (lack of) personal growth.   The writing was sharp and funny, with a lot of now pop culture references to make you laugh. (hopefully those references won't make the book feel dated in a decade or so)  Lastly, I felt that the Christian references were sincere and natural.  When questions arose about death and the meaning of life, the author gave us more than just the standard cookie cutter answers, which I think can sometimes trivialize or invalidate the asker's feelings.  I really think this book is a standout for its genre, but I'd have to say that I wouldn't want to pay full price on it either, with this in mind, I think I'll give it a rating of a 2 Borders with a Coupon.  However if Christian chic-lit is not your thing, skip it.

Do you agree with my review?  Do you think I'm totally off base?  Either way I'd love to hear from you, be sure to leave a comment and tell me how you feel!

If this book were a movie it would likely be rated  PG, for some sexual references, i.e. a man running off with another women, parents discussing abstinence and the appearance of a compromising situation (which turns out isn't what it seemed to be anyway)

***FTC Disclosure:  This book was provided in exchange for an honest review, no other compensation was given, all opinions are my own***

If you are interested in purchasing Facelift, please consider supporting The Book Buff by purchasing from the following Amazon link, thank you!

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The Confirmation

Ralph Reed

Newly elected U.S. president Bob Long is weighing reports of nuclear weapons in Iran when he learns Justice Peter Corbin Franklin, 86-year-old liberal conscience of the Supreme Court, has suffered a massive stroke.  With pressing same-sex marriage and abortion laws as well as a huge antitrust case on the court's docket, the door is open for Long to appoint a conservative replacement, paying back the 21 million evangelicals who voted for him.  But it won't be that easy. Long faces a series of political missteps while his court nominee, Marco Diaz, suffers vicious character accusations in the media for his religious beliefs and rumors of a tragic past.

Meanwhile, terrorists in Iran have hijacked more nuclear materials and are threatening to bomb a major city if the U.S. or Israel attacks.  Chaos reigns in the nation's capitol...

My Take:

Scandal, backroom deals, corruption...its politics, so what's new?  Well, what's refreshing is the authenticity with which the author wrote, the thrilling storyline, and somehow managing to leave me with a bit of hope for the future.  There were a lot of view points being thrown around in this book and I felt that the author definitely had his own point of view, but he was not disrespectful to the opposition, and presented both sides quite well.  I also really enjoyed the detail, and as I mentioned before, the authenticity.  There is nothing worse than an author pretending to know what he or she is talking about when it is entirely obvious that he or she hasn't had any experience in the particular field, or has not done any research  If you are a political junkie, this is definitely a book you would enjoy, especially if you are interested in the specific field of the judicial system.  Overall I very much enjoyed this book and give it a good solid 2, Borders with a Coupon

Do you agree with my review?  Do you think I'm totally off base?  Either way I'd love to hear from you, be sure to leave a comment and tell me how you feel!

If this book were a movie, it would likely be rated a light PG-13

***FTC Disclosure:  This book was provided in exchange for an honest review, no other compensation was given, all opinions are my own***

If you are considering purchasing The Confirmation, please consider supporting The Book Buff by purchasing from the following Amazon link, thank you!

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Bloodmaiden

Christine E. Schulze

Zale. Gauthier. Varden. These three dynasties...they all sound like something out of an ancient, oriental myth or fairy tale. The concept of humans and dragons helping and living in harmony with one another, without fear. To me, that's exactly what they are. A distant dream only read of, whispered secretly, quietly yearned for. For, you see, I am the new Quelda of Tynan.

Along with her new husband, Chalom, Crislin must choose to embrace cruel tradition, run from it, or stand against it. The young couple's only hope is to rally the help of the three peaceful dragon dynasties of Sulaimon-but tradition is not on their side.

 Together, they must convince the dragon emperors to allow them access to the shrines which house the sacred Aria - protective strands of music which may be able to disperse the evil from Tynan and unite the four dynasties of Sulaimon as a whole once again. Their only aid stems from a sprite whose moods are as unstable as her magic, a young minstrel, and a mysterious fox. Despite the odds, such plans are daring, dangerous, unprecedented, but fully possible - if they can escape the Wall first.

My Take:

I was absolutely HOOKED at the beginning of this book!  The author had a beautiful way of revealing the terrible situation in which the main character, Crisilin, found herself just a little at a time so that the reader is completely enveloped in Crisilin's fears and inner strength.  You are right there with her, you don't totally know what is going on, but that helps you feel more in the moment.  Speaking of Crisilin, I just love her.  She is so sweetly innocent, and unabashedly so.  She is self aware, she knows she's naive in many things, and that's how she likes it.  I loved the evolution of her character from quietly brave and innocent young victim, to brave, strong and still innocent heroine.  The romance at the center of the plot was so sweet.  I know I've already used the word innocent so many times in this review, but I just can't help it, it is the best word to describe their relationship.  Crisilin and her husband are so endearing and quietly passionate.  The cast of supporting characters was great, they were diverse and entertaining.  Another aspect of the book I really loved was the emphasis put on the magical properties of music.  The story really went with the whole "music tames the wild beast" theme, and it really worked well with the other elements of the plot.  There were a few brief moments here of there where the "music as the bringer of peace" crossed the line from beautiful and magical to cheesy, but it never lasted long.  I really loved this book, and feel it is a very special story.  It is a must read for fantasy lovers and also lover of sweet romances.  2, Use a Coupon at Borders

Do you agree with my review?  Do you think I'm totally off base?  Either way I'd love to hear from you, be sure to leave a comment and tell me how you feel!

If this book were a movie it would likely be rated PG for some brief violence and innocent sexual references (a young married couple nervous for their "first time")

***FTC Disclosure:  This book was provided in exchange for an honest review, no other compensation was given, all opinions are my own***

If you are interested in purchasing Bloodmaiden, please consider supporting The Book Buff by purchasing from the following Amazon link, thank you!

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Victor and the Sun Orb

Amy Nielsen

Victor, a fairy prince of Solandia, should enjoy a carefree life.  But from a early age, he finds himself very busy.

He learns complex magic and martial arts.  He's even taught how to live in a human world.  That's because his parents, Kind Godfred and Queen Magenta, know about a mortality spell that was cast on their son on the very day of his baptism.

A dark, hooded figure with eyes that burn like coal is to blame.  Victor's parents know that on his thirteenth birthday, their beloved son will be forced to leave Solandia and live with humans, perhaps never to return.

To find an antidote to the spell cast upon him as an infant, Victor must retrieve the mysterious sun orb, a source of magical power now in the hands of the dark, hooded figure.

As he sets upon his quest, a war between the forces of light and darkness erupts.  Good fairies wage battles with bad fairies, even as the power in their wands fades.

Enter a world of magic, and join the fairy prince as he fights for family, love, and friendship in Victor and the Sun Orb.

My Take:

First off let me tell you that the cover of this book is a bit misleading and really does a disservice to the awesome story.  The cover portrays a sweetness and light book you might buy for your 7 year old niece.  This is simply not the essence of the book.  The book is a wonderfully written YA mini-epic.  It isn't quite as epic as say The Chronicles of Narnia, but it absolutely holds its own.  Much like Narnia, this book is one that can be enjoyed at any age, teen or adult (hey I liked it and I'm in my early 20s).  It took a bit to really get into the story, but once you were in, you were in.  The strongest point was the writing in general, I thought it was awesome.  I think the author did really well in making it very readable, while at the same time, challenging the young teen reader.  I am looking forward to more from this author in the future.  The book was chalk full of real life lessons intermingled seamlessly with the elements of magic, which appeals to the kid in everyone.  The ending was sweet and predictable, but the book was really more about the journey rather than the destination.  I loved this book, and highly recommend it for young teens, 2 Borders with a Coupon.

Do you agree with my review?  Do you think I'm totally off base?  Either way I'd love to hear from you, be sure to leave a comment and tell me how you feel.

This book is for younger teens, and would likely be rated PG

***FTC Disclosure:  This book was provided in exchange for an honest review, no other compensation was given, all opinions are my own***

If you are interested in purchasing Victor and the Sun Orb, please consider supporting The Book Buff by purchasing from the following Amazon link, thank you!

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