Review: Somewhere My Lass by Beth Trissel

ASIN #: B003NSC6EE

File Size: 313 KB

Copyright: 2010

Book Summary:

(Taken from Amazon)

Neil MacKenzie's well ordered life turns to chaos when Mora Campbell shows up claiming he's her fiance from 1602 Scotland. Her avowal that she was chased to the future by clan chieftain, Red MacDonald, is utter nonsense, and Neil must convince her that she is just addled from a blow to her head--or so he believes until the MacDonald himself shows up wanting blood.

 

Mora knows the Neil of the future is truly her beloved Niall who disappeared from the past. Although her kinsmen believe he's dead, and she is now destined to marry Niall's brother, she's convinced that if she and Neil return to the past, all will be right. The only problem is how to get back to 1602 before it's too late.

 

The balance of the present and future are in peril if she marries another, and the Neil of the present will cease to exist. An ancient relic and a few good friends in the future help pave the way back to the past, but will Mora and Neil be too late to save a love that began centuries before?

Mandy's Review:

Cover

I'm not sure I like the cover.  Don't get me wrong ... the man is fine and the girl pretty, but it somehow seems disconnected.  Although ... the man, woman and castle do reflect the main focal points of the story.

Plot

The reader travels with the characters from historic Staunton, Virginia in 2009 to 1602 Scotland.  It is a romantic story with bits of mysticism, humor and time travel.  Once begun, this story will carry you through to the end before you even realize it's over.

Main Characters

Mora - Headstrong and stubborn with a fierce temper.  She is from 1602 Scotland.  Mora landed in Neil's home in 2009 Virginia.  Will she make it back to Scotland and her betrothed?

Neil - A graphic designer who has no family to speak of.  Those closest to him that he considers family are his best friend and housekeeper.  He leads a somewhat lonely life ... that is, until he finds Mora in his home during some tragic events.

Fergus - Neil's best friend.  He's a techie and geek who doesn't seem to have ever grown up.  He is the perfect sidekick to Neil's character and a valuable asset to Neil and Mora during several semi-climactic situations.

Overall

While this book wasn't one of my absolute faves, it is definitely a book I enjoyed reading.  This would be a perfect recommendation to those readers who enjoy a romance with the element of a time travel quandary.

Review: Bumps in the Night by Harry Allard

ISBN #: 0-440-41286-2

Page Count: 48

Copyright: 1979

Book Summary:

(Taken from back cover)

Dudley the Stork's new house is haunted! When the clock strikes twelve there are thumps in the den, creaks on the stairs, and bumps everywhere.

Dudley's friend Trevor Hog says Madam Kreepy will find out what's causing the spooky noises.  And so, just before midnight, Dudley's friends gather with Madam Kreepy.

No one can guess what will happen when the clock strikes twelve.

Mandy's Review:

This book is #93 on the Top 100 Banned/Challenged Books: 2000-2009 ... Yes, I'm finally getting back to this list!!! =)

Banned Reasons

I could not find anything online that stated specific reasons.  However, after reading the book, I would suspect one reason to be the mention of witchcraft.

Cover

Considering the suggested reading ages for this book is 5 to 8, the cover would strike the mysterious, want-to-read chord within the heart of the potential reader.

Plot/Main Characters

Dudley the Stork cannot fall asleep one night.  As he's attempting to snooze, he hears strange noises downstairs.  Not really locating the noise's source, he calls his friends trying to figure out what to do.

Since Dudley has jumped to conclusions about his house being haunted, Trevor Hog suggests a medium come over to do a seance.

What then ensues is an interesting tale that resolves Dudley's fears about his house being haunted.

Agree/Disagree

Since I only speculated at the reason why this book was banned/challenged, I can only agree or disagree with my own reasoning.  And, I must say, I do have an issue with a book, for children aged 5 to 8, that involves talk of mediums and seances.

I do not have an issue with the ghost story part (who doesn't enjoy a good ghost story?!), but insinuating or suggesting that people can conjure spirits and talk to them is too much for a 5 to 8 year old to understand.  I'm not saying that it can't be written about, but I would prefer if it was written for older children.

So, yes, I would have to agree with my speculations as to why this particular book was banned or challenged.

Review: Weaver of Darkness by Melissa L. Webb

ASIN #: B004NEUIXI

File Size: 489 KB

Copyright: 2011

Book Summary:

(Taken from Amazon)

When evil comes for the ones you love, who will you choose to be?

Liss Taylor always suspected she was a little different than other people, between the nightmares of desolate wastelands and the tattoo of an arrow she was born with; but when one of Liss' friends dies at the teeth of a Raggedy Ann doll as a warning to her, she knows she is anything but normal.

Armed with knowledge instilled from the past, Liss pushes forward with the aid of her high school friends, two five-hundred year old Druids and a heroic shape shifter. As an old god stirs, Liss realizes she has faced its summoner before. Can Liss release her powers from within and stop this evil before it claims humanity as it own?

Mandy's Review:

Cover

Definitely disturbing, but I like it.  The spruceness of the title's lettering with the little flourishes set atop the slight creepiness of the cover art presents a nice contrast.

Plot

For me, the book started off reminding me of a cross between I Know What You Did Last Summer, Chucky and Scream.  It did get better as I kept reading.

Minus the prologue, this book starts off common enough: boyfriend and girlfriend walking home from school with friends talking about what they're going to do that night.  Then the freakiness hits the proverbial fan ...

Without giving away spoilers, I will say this novel contains twins who represent good and evil, a loyal servant/protector to the good twin, ghosts, shapeshifters, witches, demons, gods, delusions, love, human sacrifice ... this novel has it all.

Main Characters

Melissa - An only child stuck in a home with parents who are too busy for her.

Jerry - Melissa's boyfriend and son of the town's sheriff.  He does everything he can to protect her.

Hunter - He has vowed to protect Melissa at all costs no matter the circumstance.  He's wise, mysterious, strong, loyal and faithful.

Mark - New kid in school who befriends Melissa and seems to take a personal interest in her.  Will he come between Melissa and Jerry?

Overall

This novel has a lot of familiar aspects (especially to an avid reader), but they're written in a style that is different and engaging.  I would recommend this to any fantasy and mystery lovers.

Review: Dirty Little Angels by Chris Tusa

ASIN #: B00403N2YY

File Size: 272 KB

Copyright: 2010

Book Summary:

(Taken from Amazon)

Set in the slums of New Orleans, among crack houses and abandoned buildings, Dirty Little Angels is the story of 16-year-old Hailey Trosclair. When the Trosclair family suffers financial hardship and a miscarriage, Hailey finds herself looking to God to save her family. When her prayers go unanswered, Hailey puts her faith in Moses Watkins, a failed preacher and ex-con. Fascinated by Moses’ lopsided view of religion, Hailey and her brother Cyrus begin spending time at an abandoned bank that Moses plans to convert into a drive-through church. Gradually, Moses’ twisted religious beliefs become increasingly more violent, and Hailey and Cyrus find themselves trapped in a world of danger and fear from which there may be no escape.

Mandy's Review:

Cover

The cover photo is pretty self-explanatory ... especially when looked at after reading the book's summary.  I'm glad the photo was kept in black and white instead of color.  It has a more neglected feel to it.

Plot/Main Characters

The story is told from Hailey's point of view.  Right away we are introduced to her family:

Cyrus, Hailey's older brother who hangs out with the wrong people and will eventually get into trouble because of it;

Jules, Hailey and Cyrus' father, who lost his job and is now struggling to provide for his family ... although he doesn't seem to be trying too hard to find actual work; and ...

Lena, Hailey and Cyrus' mother, who is so lost in her own grief she barely realizes what is going on around her.

Realistically written, this story felt ... gritty.  You follow a girl's life as she struggles to find love, acceptance and her place in this world.  Unfortunately, she begins life at a disadvantage by being from the "wrong side of the tracks."  I believe this pre-disposed Hailey to enter into various life situations she wouldn't have encountered otherwise.

Overall

This can be classified as an emotionally disturbing 'coming-of-age' tale, which feels all too familiar.  We've all known or seen a person in these circumstances.  If you haven't, well, maybe you should.  It would help you get a more realistic perspective on a life different from your own.

August's BintoM Monthly Giveaway (#7)

Time for the BintoM Monthly Giveaway meme began, and hosted, by me! =)  I began this because I know I have a habit of comparing books to movies, and vice versa, when a movie is based on a book. 

*I am thinking about having a BintoM blog hop one month.  If you are interested in participating, please email me at:

bannedbookreader@gmail.com

Here are the particulars for this month's giveaway:

• Towards the end of the month, I will post the next month's giveaway. 
• I will leave it open for 2 to 3 weeks.  At that time, a winner (or winners, if I'm feeling generous) will be chosen and notified. 
• I will expect the winner to acknowledge the winning email within 48 hours or another winner will be chosen in their place. 
• This is now open internationally
• You do not need to be a GFC follower to win.  Yes, I would like it if you followed me, but I am not making that a stipulation to participate or to win.

August's BintoM Giveaway (ending August 7th) prize pack will consist of:

  
The Quick and the Dead book/movie combo

Here's a little bit about both:

I have a brand new paperback copy of The Quick and the Dead written by Louis L'Amour that I bought from Books-A-Million.

Summary:  When Duncan McKaskel decided to move his family west, he knew he would face dangers, and he was prepared for them.  He knew about the exhausting terrain, and he was expecting the punishing elements.  What he worried about was having to use violence against other men - men who would follow him and try to steal the riches that he didn't even possess.

Yet bandits were only part of McKaskel's worries.  For a mysterious stranger, Con Vallian, had appeared one night and saved his life.  But was Vallian's true interest Duncan's wife, Susanna?  And, more important, how did she feel about him?

As they push into the wilderness, Duncan must discover who is the greater threat - the thieves outside his camp or the enigmatic stranger within ...

To go along with the book, I have a brand new copy of The Quick and the Dead, the movie:



Blurb:  In 1876 Wyoming, the gun is the only law.  And for Duncan and Susanna McKaskel, newly arrived settlers beset by outlaws, rugged frontiersman Con Vallian is the only hope.

DVD Bonus Features:

Commentary by Director Robert Day

DVD Info:

90 Minutes (Color)

Not Rated

Widescreen Version

Main Actors:

Sam Elliott

Kate Capshaw

Tom Conti

Click here to enter for your chance to win ... Good Luck!