Out With The Old ...

Another year has wound down and a new one is about to begin. Our audience has grown over this past year and we have you to thank. We are committed to bringing you more reviews, more author interviews, more book spotlights, just more bookish stuff in general ... which we know you love.

Unfortunately, we were not able to finish all of our reading challenges this year. Below are the challenges we attempted in 2013 and our numbers. Over the next few days, we'll update our pages to include the 2014 challenges we're participating in. We hope you'll come back, check it out, and show your support as we begin this new year together.

2013 TBR Pile Challenge

Kathy: Finished 10/12

Mandy: Finished 9/12

Shut Up & Read's Winter Wonderland Spell Challenge for January 2013

Mandy: Finished 11/16

Shut Up & Read's Star Wars Yearly Challenge

Mandy: Finished 12/38 (Ugh! How horrible!!!)

Back to the Classics 2013

Kathy: Finished 7/11 (5 of the 11 were optional categories, of which Kathy read 2)


Goodreads 2013 Reading Challenge

Literary R&R: 196/200 (So close!!!)

{Review} Graveminder by Melissa Marr

ISBN #: 978-0061826870

Page Count: 336

Copyright: May 17, 2011

Publisher: William Morrow

Book Summary:

(Taken from dustjacket flap)

Rebekkah Barrow never forgot the attention her grandmother Maylene bestowed upon the dead of Claysville, the small town where Bek spent her adolescence. There wasn't a funeral that Maylene didn't attend, and at each one Rebekkah watched as Maylene performed the same unusual ritual: She took three sips from a silver flask and spoke the words "Sleep well, and stay where I put you."

Now Maylene is dead, and Bek must go back to the place she left a decade earlier. She soon discovers that Claysville is not just the sleepy town she remembers, and that Maylene had good reason for her odd traditions. It turns out that in Claysville the worlds of the living and the dead are dangerously connected; beneath the town lies a shadowy, lawless land ruled by the enigmatic Charles, aka Mr. D. If the dead are not properly cared for, they will come back to satiate themselves with food, drink, and stories from the land of the living. Only the Graveminder, by tradition a Barrow woman, and her Undertaker - in this case Byron Montgomery, with whom Bek shares a complicated past - can set things right once the dead begin to walk.

Although she is still grieving for Maylene, Rebekkah will soon find that she has more than a funeral to attend to in Claysville, and that what awaits her may be far worse: dark secrets, a centuries-old bargain, a romance that still haunts her, and a frightening new responsibility - to stop a monster and put the dead to rest where they belong.

Mandy's Review:

This is one of those instances where I was walking through my local major-chain bookstore's clearance section and saw this book. The cover drew me in, but what really got me hooked was the tagline on the front cover: "Sleep well, and stay where I put you." The implications of that sentence sparked my imagination right away. Even though I had never heard of Melissa Marr before, I decided to give this novel a chance.

I'm not going to rehash the summary for you. I will tell you that this is truly an original story idea ... and I loved it. Okay, maybe not loved, but I liked it a lot! The play on words and double-meanings are genius: Graveminder, Undertaker, Walking Dead, and Hungry Dead. There was some romantic tension in the novel, but it mostly focused on the Graveminder's and Undertaker's roles and duties. The romanticism was sort of a back-burner storyline, which I appreciated.

I did have one question, though, and this may spoil a little bit of the story for you: If the Graveminder couldn't leave Claysville, whatever happened to all of Rebekkah's stuff in San Diego?

Please take my advice and pick up a copy of this novel, especially if you're looking for a quick Halloween read.

{Review} Cinderella's Secret Diary (Book 1: Lost) by Ron Vitale

ASIN #: B005IHDX18

File Size: 612 KB

Page Count: 197

Copyright: August 21, 2011

Book Summary:

(Taken from Amazon)

What happened to Cinderella after she married the Prince?

Set in the late 1700s as Napoleon is rising to power, Cinderella embarks on a journey of self-discovery as she tries to come to terms with her failed marriage and her inability to have a child. Torn between the Queen's insistence that she try all means necessary to conceive and her own desires, she agrees to travel to Paris to consult with a witch to help her become pregnant.

Her journey leads her to find her long lost Fairy Godmother and aids her to solve the mystery behind her mother's death. Yet the Fey Lord, the Silver Fox, also takes notice in her and her world is suddenly turned upside down ...

Mandy's Review:

I wanted to read this book because I thought it had the potential to go very right or very wrong. We all know the classic tale of Cinderella and how her Fairy Godmother helped her transform for the ball to win the prince's affections, allowing her to escape from the wicked rule of her stepmother and two stepsisters.

But ... what happened afterward? We all want to believe that she and the prince lived happily ever after in their own magical bubble, but that's not usually how life happens is it?

The story's set about 10 years after the prince finds Cinderella. The prince has many mistresses and Cinderella is a victim of unrequited love. Part of her believes if she could have a child that would help her win the prince's affections. The Queen requests Cinderella to see a witch in order to become pregnant, at which time the Queen demands the prince to forgo his mistresses for one year. Cinderella reluctantly agrees to see the witch because to deny the Queen is to sign one's death warrant.

By the time Cinderella sees the witch, many things have happened to change her view of the prince and her marriage. The witch, not at all as scary as Cinderella imagined her to be, agrees to help Cinderella escape her life ... as long as Cinderella agrees to stop trying to communicate with her Fairy Godmother.

Will Cinderella agree to go with the witch and deny the one person who helped her when she needed it most?

Ron Vitale has masterfully created the continuation of Cinderella's story. There are so many twists and turns (using the items and people that we're all familiar with) that it will keep the reader on the edge of their seat. Evil and goodness are not as clearly discernible as one would think they'd be. I loved this story and the inclusion of the Fae. I cannot wait to read more!


*An ecopy of this book was provided by the author in exchange for an honest review.

{Review} Peach Creek: A Briarcliff Lane Novel by Adler Duncan

ISBN #: 978-1477417324

Page Count: 246

Copyright: October 15, 2012

Publisher: CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform

Book Summary:

(Taken from back cover)

The Eagle Ford Shale is proving to be as productive as a Middle East oil field, and Willy Mraznik is hell-bent on getting his share. An independent wildcatter, Willy punches holes in the ground up and down the Peach Creek valley using second-rate machinery won in a poker game.

When a drilling hand goes missing, detective Buddy McCoy stumbles onto evidence of a crime, and Willy becomes the prime suspect. As the investigation develops, Buddy's allegiance is challenged and the detective becomes the target of suspicion from police and criminals alike.

Set against the backdrop of modern-day Texas oil exploration, Peach Creek is a story about a man who fights for his share of the treasure and those who become entangled in his quest for wealth. From the author of Briarcliff Lane, Peach Creek explores the sinister side of the fictional residents of small town Gonzales.

Mandy's Review:

Buddy was in an accident and now has amnesia ... or so he wants people to think. It's true he did have it right after the accident, but it's been a month now and he's starting to remember things. He realizes how much easier it is to have less responsibility and more freedom to do and say what he wants. Whenever someone questions him, he feigns amnesia and goes off to do whatever he wishes.

It's during this time of more freedom that Buddy stumbles upon the evidence needed to solve the mystery surrounding Nick's death. As a matter of fact, it's so outside his usual bumbling self that people begin to wonder if maybe he's "finding" the evidence because he's actually somehow involved with Nick's demise. Yes, Buddy is a bumbler. So much so that he reminds me a little of Barney Fife from The Andy Griffith Show. His attempt to hide his lack of amnesia is, to me, apparent to any observer, so how the people in the book found it believable was beyond me.

Aside from my issue with Buddy's attempt to hide his lack of amnesia, Peach Creek was a quick trip into a nice little town (okay, aside from the death, too) that took me out my own world for a few hours. I don't know that this will become a national bestseller, but it is a nice read for those who enjoy the mystery genre.


*A paperback copy of this novel was provided by the author in exchange for an honest review.

{Review} The Comfort of Lies by Randy Susan Meyers

ISBN #: 978-1451673012

Page Count: 336

Copyright: February 12, 2013

Publisher: Atria Books

Book Summary:

(Taken from dustjacket flap)

Five years ago, Tia fell into obsessive love with a man she could never have. Married, and the father of two boys, Nathan was unavailable in every way. When she became pregnant, he disappeared, and she gave up her baby for adoption.

Five years ago, Caroline, a dedicated pathologist, reluctantly adopted a baby to please her husband. She prayed her misgivings would disappear; instead, she's questioning whether she's cut out for the role of wife and mother.

Five years ago, Juliette considered her life ideal: she had a solid marriage, two beautiful young sons, and a thriving business. Then she discovered Nathan's affair. He promised he'd never stray again, and she trusted him.

But when Juliette intercepts a letter to her husband from Tia that contains pictures of a child with a deep resemblance to her husband, her world crumbles once more. How could Nathan deny his daughter? And if he's kept this a secret from her, what else is he hiding? Desperate for the truth, Juliette goes in search of the little girl. And before long, the three women and Nathan are on a collision course with consequences that none of them could have predicted.

Mandy's Review:

The title is an oxymoron in that there is no comfort in lies. Lies create feelings of anxiety, worry, fear, and general discomfort. When you lie there are consequences that must be dealt with when the truth is found out. And, trust me, the truth always comes to light.

Just about every main character in this book is lying to someone: Tia is lying to herself and then to her new boyfriend Bobby, Nathan is lying to both Tia and Juliette, Juliette is lying to her sons, Carol is lying to her husband and adopted daughter. Tia lies to herself by telling herself that Nathan truly loves her. Nathan lies to Juliette by not telling her he's having an affair. Carol lies to her husband and adopted daughter by pretending she wants to be a mother when she really just wants her life back before they adopted the little girl.

When the truth begins to surface everyone seems to want to lay blame on others instead of taking responsibility for their own decisions. Example: Juliette now has a hard time trusting Nathan since she's found out about his affair yet she's the one who decided to keep him around after his confession. Another example: Tia blames Nathan for deceiving her when the truth was in front of her the entire time they were together.

Here's what I've always believed: You always have a choice. In every situation. You may not like the choices you have, but they're always there. If you decide to accept being lied to, then don't blame anyone but yourself when the truth finally comes to light. Women know when their men are cheating. It's like we're born with this antenna inside of us. If you choose to ignore that warning bell inside your head, well ...

Overall, I did enjoy this book. I'm happy that things turned out the way they did for everyone. It's definitely an interesting story made unique by telling it in third person. And, I'm not tell you how but, everything turns out well for all those involved.


*A hardcopy of the novel was provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

{Review} A Trace of Moonlight by Allison Pang

ISBN #: 978-1439198360

Page Count: 381

Copyright: October 30, 2012

Publisher: Pocket Books

Book Summary:

(Taken from back cover)

Abby's pact with a daemon - whether or not she remembers making it - is binding, so she'd better count herself lucky that (in the words of a daemon who knows better) there's nearly always a loophole. But her friends' reckless attempts to free her, well intentioned though they may be, set off a disastrous chain of events. In no time at all, Abby turns her incubus lover mortal, then gets herself killed, cursed, and married to an elven prince whose mother wants her dead. On top of everything else, she's lost the Key to the CrossRoads to her mortal enemy, who promptly uses his restored power to wreak havoc on the OtherWorld and put its very existence in jeopardy. Only one person can make things right again, but to find her, Abby must place her trust in allies of mixed loyalties, and conquer her nightmares once and for all.

Mandy's Review:

This is the third (and final?) book in this series. It's amazing to me just how much action is packed into these novels. If I were told beforehand everything that would happen, I would have a hard time figuring out just how it would all work. Somehow, though, Allison Pang does an extraordinary job of packing a ton of action into the pages of her novels yet makes it seem as effortless as breathing. They don't feel overwritten at all.

When this book starts off Abby still has amnesia. She believes herself to be engaged to Talivar and well-received by his mother, the Queen. One man changes that when he kills her. Thankfully Phin was there to save the day by using his horn to revive Abby (in case you forgot, Phineas, aka Phin, is a unicorn) and from there begins a whole slew of trouble for Abby to get herself in.

It still annoys me (just a little) that everything falls to Abby to try and solve, save, help, hinder, control, etc. I did appreciate that she was finally able to get a grip on her nightmares. She didn't eliminate them, but she learned how to live with them ... which was symbolic and could relate to anyone reading her story. We all have our own nightmares, things that frighten us and have control over us. Instead of trying to get rid of them altogether, perhaps we should take a closer look at them and figure out how they can help us. After all, our nightmares are a part of who we've become.

I enjoyed the progression of this series. The ending of this novel has some ambiguity to it and could be interpreted a couple different ways, but I think I'll take it to mean the most obvious: Abby lives happily ever after with her true love. No, I'm not going to tell you if she chose Talivar or Brystion. You'll just have to read this series for yourself to know that.


*A paperback copy of this novel was provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

{Review} A Sliver of Shadow by Allison Pang

ISBN #: 978-1439198346

Page Count: 400

Copyright: February 28, 2012

Publisher: Pocket Books

Book Summary:

(Taken from back cover)

Just when her new life as a TouchStone - a mortal bound to help OtherFolk cross between Faery and human worlds - seems to be settling down, Abby Sinclair is left in charge when the Protectorate, Moira, leaves for the Faery Court. And when the Protectorate's away ... let's just say things spiral out of control when a spell on Abby backfires and the Faery Queen declares the Doors between their worlds officially closed. The results are disastrous for both sides: OtherFolk trapped in the mortal world are beginning to fade, while Faery is on the brink of war with the daemons of Hell. Along with her brooding elven prince Talivar and sexy incubus Brystion, Abby ventures to the CrossRoads in an attempt to override the Queen's magic. But nothing in this beautiful, dangerous realm will compare to the discoveries she's making about her past, her destiny, and what she will sacrifice for those she loves.

Mandy's Review:

This book begins pretty much where A Brush of Darkness left off. Abby's trying to recuperate from Brystion leaving her and from being injured during her stint inside a nightmarish painting. Once again, Moira has left Abby by herself. I'm not sure why Moira's even the Protectorate. It's been two books now and we barely know anything about her. I agree with Brystion's assessment that too much is often put upon Abby to figure out.

Talivar has begun expressing his interest in Abby and wants to court her. I don't like the thought of Talivar and Abby together. He just seems to be the rebound and we all know that never ends well for the rebound person. Having him interested in Abby does give a nice balance to Brystion's bad boy persona. If I was Abby, though, Talivar wouldn't have a chance. He seems just a little too needy and apt to smother her. Abby seems a little like me: independent and wants freedom to do what she wants when she wants. If Abby and Talivar do become a couple, he better man up and stop being so needy. I have a feeling that an emotionally smothered Abby will not be a happy Abby.

I liked that Abby, and we, learned more about her past, specifically dealing with her parents. In the first book, we knew her mother died but we didn't know anything about her father. Abby has more family connections in Faery than she realizes and the Queen is not happy about it. Of course, the Queen is going mentally insane so who knows how she really feels about anything.

The book ends on a huge cliffhanger (which annoyed me and made me happy all at the same time). Now I just HAVE to read the third book to see how this all comes out. Will Abby continue to be with Talivar or will she give in to her desires and hook back up with Brystion? What's going to happen to the person at the end of this book who did the most unexpected thing (if I told you who or what it was then it'd ruin the ending for you)? This series is definitely a must read for all you paranormal lovers out there!


*A paperback copy of the book was provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

{Review} A Brush of Darkness by Allison Pang

ISBN #: 978-1439198322

Page Count: 343

Copyright: January 25, 2011

Publisher: Pocket Books

Book Summary:

(Taken from back cover)

Six months ago, Abby Sinclair was struggling to pick up the pieces of her shattered life. Now, she has an enchanted iPod, a miniature unicorn living in her underwear drawer, and a magical marketplace to manage. But despite her growing knowledge of the OtherWorld, Abby isn't at all prepared for Brystion, the dark, mysterious, and sexy-as-sin incubus searching for his sister, convinced Abby has the key to the succubus's whereabouts. Abby has enough problems without having this seductive shape-shifter literally invade her dreams to get information. But when her Faery boss and some of her friends vanish, as well, Abby and Brystion must form an uneasy alliance. As she is sucked deeper and deeper into this perilous world of faeries, angels, and daemons, Abby realizes her life is in as much danger as her heart - and there's no one she can trust to save her.

Mandy's Review:

Now this is a fantasy book that I can get behind! I absolutely loved Abby. Her sarcasm and dry humor were right up my alley and I found myself laughing at her too many times to count. Had Abby been real, her and I would've become fast friends.

Abby's life changed more than she realized six months prior. She knew she was a Touchstone, a human who enables an OtherWorld creature to be permanently "grounded" in this world, but she never realized she was more. Her other abilities showed themselves during her helping Brystion figure out the specifics of his sister's disappearance. Surprisingly, as a Touchstone, Abby possesses very limited knowledge about the OtherWorld. She should have had better training.

Brystion is definitely sexy, but that's partly due to how Abby imagines him to be. Brystion's true self is not-so-sexy and I was a little grossed out that Abby had sex with him in his true form towards the end. He turns out to be not so trustworthy, which disappointed me although his sneakiness is probably more in line with his true nature ... so I understand his actions, I just don't like them.

Phineas, Abby's unicorn, is a little disgusting but funny too. He was definitely not what I pictured a unicorn to be and that's what I liked the most about him. I'm glad he had a "rough" edge about him rather than being syrupy sweet.

The author has done an excellent job of giving all of the characters their own personalities. Each one stood out as individuals, but they blended together well to form this wonderfully entertaining story. Overall this was an excellent start to a promising series. I almost declined to read this series when asked about them, but I am so very glad I did. I cannot wait to see what happens in the second book!


*A paperback copy was provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

{Review} The Darlings by Cristina Alger

ISBN #: 978-0143122753

Page Count: 338

Copyright: December 24, 2012

Publisher: Penguin Books

Book Summary:

(Taken from back cover)

Now that he's married to Merrill Darling, daughter of billionaire financier Carter Darling, attorney Paul Ross has grown accustomed to all the luxuries of Park Avenue. When Carter offers him a lucrative, high profile position at his hedge fund, Paul is thrilled with his good fortune. But Paul's luck is about to change: A tragic event will catapult the Darling family into the middle of a regulatory investigation and a red-hot scandal. Suddenly, Paul must decide where his loyalties really lie.

The Darlings is an irresistible glimpse into the highest echelons of New York society and a fast-paced thriller of epic proportions.

Mandy's Review:

Let's start with the title: The Darlings. Not only is that the last name of the family we're reading about, but it's also synonymous with how the family is treated within New York social circles. They're the favored among the elite. They're invited to all the VIP events. They are New York society's darling and are treated very favorably.

Be careful while at the top though, because the only place you can go is down.

People at the top often forget to be careful: about relationships, about communications, about the law. They almost feel as if they're untouchable. When a huge wrecking ball, in the form of a nation's financial crisis, shatters the crystal tower they live in, the Darlings begin to realize they're not invincible. It's hard to feel sorry for a family that did what it took to get where they were. It's hard to feel sorry for them when they trusted others to do what they should have done. The only people I felt any sympathy for were Merrill and Paul. They were actually the two honest people of the family and didn't deserve to go through the stress and emotional upheaval.

I found it a little difficult to keep all the characters straight at first and whom was married to whom. As long as I kept reading the story and didn't stop to take breaks, I found it easier to keep up with. The novel is well-written and the progression of the story is flawless. It read like an insider's expose. If you enjoy reading about celebrities' private lives and their problems, then I think you'd enjoy reading The Darlings.


*A paperback copy was provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

{Review} Dancing on the Inside by Glen C. Strathy

ISBN #: 978-1462018710

Page Count: 236

Copyright: July 7, 2011

Publisher: iUniverse Publishing

Book Summary:

(Taken from Amazon)

Sidelined by a paralyzing anxiety, a twelve-year-old girl uses determination and friendship to pursue her dream of becoming a ballet dancer in this uplifting middle-grade novel.

Mandy's Review:

If I were a middle-school-aged child, I would have fallen in love with this book immediately. It has a sense of tragedy to it that ends in triumph and self-empowerment, which would inspire any little girl reading this story. Since I am an adult reading a middle-grade novel, my review is going to be somewhat different.

First of all, Jenny's paralyzing anxiety is a little much. Granted there are genetically-transferred anxieties passed from parents to children. However ... Jenny's anxiety was a little over-the-top for my taste. And the fact that the adults somewhat coddled her by allowing her to stay in the class seemed a bit far-fetched. Although, if I had Jenny's mother, perhaps I'd be a little like Jenny. Her mother is extremely negative and unsupportive. It grated on my nerves to see how she talked to Jenny.

I loved Ara, Jenny's friend. She was free-spirited and wonderful. She did a wonderful job helping Jenny to try and get over her anxiety. There were a couple times that she made Jenny mad by going a little too far with her "help," but I thought she did the right thing.

As an adult, I had a couple issues with scenes in this book. I thought Jenny's actions were a little extreme and her mother too negative. I thought the ballet teachers a little too accommodating. When I allow my younger inner-self to take over, I found this book to be exciting and imaginative. I don't remember the last time a novel had my two selves arguing with each other. As long as you allow your younger self to have control, Dancing on the Inside is well worth the time to read.


*An ecopy of this novel was provided by the author in exchange for an honest review.

{Review} Ghost Town by Jason Hawes & Grant Wilson

ISBN #: 978-1451613827

Page Count: 305

Copyright: October 9, 2012

Publisher: Gallery Books

Book Summary:

(Taken from back cover)

Welcome to Exeter, the "Most Haunted Town in America," thanks to a deadly flood that unleashed an army of ghosts decades ago. And when ghost trackers Amber, Drew, and Trevor attend a conference during Exeter's spookiest week of the year, the ghouls grow restless. First, an innocent bookstore worker is mysteriously killed, setting off a string of strange deaths that point to a shadowy spirit known as the Dark Lady.

With a paranormal revolution ensuing, the team must stop the twisted bloodbath. But a past horror involving the death of a former teammate has them spinning faster than a specter in a storm, especially when they learn that it's his ghost who awakened the Dark Lady. Now, with their lives on the line and the entire town at stake, the three must decide whether to trust the spirit of their old friend or to finally put a stake through his heart.

Mandy's Review:

In Ghost Trackers, we met Amber, Drew, and Trevor as they dealt with their memory loss and a long-standing haunted house in their town. Ghost Town begins a few months after Ghost Trackers ends. Amber and Drew are a couple (finally) and Trevor is in the process of making a book deal about the Lowry house, the source of their lost memories from Ghost Trackers.

The three friends traveled to Exeter to give a presentation on their experience at the Lowry house as part of the Dead Days celebrations. What they didn't expect to happen was to become involved in yet another paranormal experience, but thanks to their old (dead) friend Greg that's exactly what they encounter.

The Dark Lady is a legend among the citizens of Exeter. They use stories of her to scare their children into behaving, sort of like the 'boogeyman.' When the Dark Lady is awakened, she's much more manipulative and destructive than people imagined. The growing number of unexplained deaths are attributed to the Dark Lady ... and a human helper.

Mitch has followed Amber to Exeter. As an abuse victim, Mitch has grown up to be an abuser. He is not fond of independent women and finds it his business to "put them in their place." The new confidence Amber embodies enrages Mitch and he makes it his personal mission to take her from Drew and show her what it's like to be with a real man. The Dark Lady senses Mitch's anger and hostility and uses that to control him into doing what she wants.

Will the three friends defeat the Dark Lady and her human helper?

Not only did Jason and Grant make an excellent team as paranormal investigators, but they also make an excellent fiction-writing duo. Ghost Town was an improvement over Ghost Trackers, which was great. This book had more suspense, more tension, more of the paranormal ... just more awesomeness. Whether you're a fan of Ghost Hunters or a fan of paranormal fiction, adding Ghost Town to your personal library would be beneficial.


*A paperback copy of the book was provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

{Review} At Season's End by Eric Hendershot

ISBN #: 978-1599559957

Page Count: 176

Copyright: May 8, 2012

Publisher: Cedar Fort, Inc.

Book Summary:

(Taken from Amazon)

Forced to seek work wherever they can, Sal's family may never have a place to call home again. But this can't keep Sal from dreaming of a future with Ben -- a boy she meets up with every year at the end of the picking season.

This heartwarming story about growing up in the Great Depression will resonate with modern readers of all ages.

Mandy's Review:

Sal and her family once had a house, but they lost it during the Great Depression. That ignited their nomadic wandering over the United States. They would travel from city-to-city, with barely any food or money, finding work where they could. In one cherry-picking location, Sal meets Ben, who's a couple years older than she is. They fall in love during the season and, two years later, meet up again and get married.

At Season's End is a very quick read. I think this book could have benefited from a few more pages. I got a sense of Sal's family's situation, but I couldn't get close to the characters. A little more depth in this story would have done a world of good. The story just didn't break the surface and allow me to get emotionally involved in it.

With a little more work, this book would be a wonderful addition to a period-fiction-lover's library.


*An ecopy of this book was provided by the publicist in exchange for an honest review.

{Review} Swedish Yokes: A Collection of Knee-Smackers by Barry Raspbody

ASIN #: B00ARXG4RI

File Size: 169 KB

Book Summary:

(Taken from Amazon)

It's a Joke Book.

Mandy's Review:

Who doesn't love a good joke? I was curious to read this book because I enjoy laughing.

I didn't laugh.

My favorite part of this book was the intermission. It showed that the author had a slightly warped sense of creativity. Probably the wittiest joke I read in this book was:

Q: What came first, the chicken or the egg?

A: It was a tie. We are currently scheduling a rematch.

The majority of the other jokes were just confusing and, sorry Barry, not that funny. Want an example? Here you go ...

Q: How long does it take to cross the Atlantic Ocean by boat?

A: Seventeen hours and thirty-three minutes.

See what I mean? If you're looking for a great joke book to actually slap your knee over, I wouldn't recommend this book.


*An ecopy of this book was provided by the author in exchange for an honest review.

*This book was read as part of Shut Up & Read's 2013 Stars Wars Yearly Challenge