ARC Arrival: The Last Word by Kathy Herman

The Last Word by Kathy Herman

Received from Audra Jennings at The B&B Media Group.
Publisher: David C. Cook
Release: October 1, 2009

Police Chief Brill Jessup is being stalked by an ex-con she helped convict fifteen years earlier for second degree murder. Since being released from prison, he’s attacked four people. Two are dead, including her former partner and one of her detectives. Law enforcement agencies in the region have joined forces to find him before he can make good on his courtroom threat to get even with everyone involved. Meanwhile, Brill’s 20-year-old daughter Vanessa comes home from college for the summer and reveals a shocking secret that turns her family’s life upside down. Brill and her husband Kurt struggle to deal with the shattered hopes and dreams they had for their daughter, and things get worse when Vanessa's psychology professor disappears without a trace and Brill finds out he's deceived Vanessa—and she could be in danger. An FBI friend uses his vacation time to watch Brill’s back, but the ex-con determined to kill her has been unstoppable each time he has gone after a target. Brill must face her own mortality and trust that God’s plan for her life will unfold exactly as He has ordained. Based on Romans 1:16. "For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes…"

ARC Arrival: The Blue Umbrella by Mike Mason

The Blue Umbrella by Mike Mason

Received from Audra Jennings at The B&B Media Group.
Publisher: David C. Cook
Release: October 1, 2009

An orphan faces an evil magician in this literary fantasy for readers of all ages that probes the depths of good and evil.

The life of ten-year-old Zac Sparks changes overnight when his mother is killed by lightning. He's sent to live in Five Corners with his Aunties, two cruel old hags who obviously don't like him. It isn't long before Zac knows something really strange is going on. Five Corners is populated with weird characters--a midget butler, a girl who doesn't speak, a blind balloon seller, and a mysterious singer who is heard but not seen. Then there's the Aunties' father, Dada. Zac's first encounter with Dada is so terrifying he faints dead away.

The one bright spot is Sky Porter, the proprietor of the general store across the street, a friendly soul who encourages Zac--when the Aunties aren't looking--and shows him a kindness that is sadly lacking from his dismal life. But Sky isn't what he seems either, and when Zac learns Sky's amazing secret he realizes, to his dismay, that this wonderful man may have a very dark side as well.

Discovering that Dada is an evil magician who has found a way to live forever, Zac knows many lives are at stake, including his own. With time running out, he must turn to the one person who might be able to help: Sky Porter. Can Zac trust him?

Fall Into Reading Challenge 2009

The Fall Into Reading Challenge is hosted by Callapidder Days and can be found here. At her blog you can find the rules (pretty much make a list of your books, make a post, submit the link to mr. linky and read).

I joined in the Spring Reading Challenge as I was just restarting my blog so I am looking forward to being a part of the Fall Reading Challenge. So check out my list and then go check out Callapidder Days blog for more lists and join in yourself. After I finish this post I'm off to start checking out lists so I can add to my want list :)

I'm only listing my first 20, I'll add more as I think of them. I'll link to reviews here as I finish them.

1. The Season by Sarah MacLean - read 9/23/2009
2. Only In Your Dreams by Cecily Von Ziegesar - read 9/24/2009
3. Give Up the Ghost by Megan Crewe - read 9/25/2009 - review
   
4. Luv Ya Bunches by Lauren Myracle - read 9/26/2009 - review
   
5. Silent Killer by Beverly Barton - read 9/28/2009 - review
   
6. Evil at Heart by Chelsea Cain - read 9/30/2009 - review
   
7. The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe by C.S. Lewis - read 10/2/2009 - review
   
8. Pride and Prejudice and Zombies by Jane Austen and Seth Grahame-Smith - read 10/4/2009 - review
   
9. Against All Odds by Irene Hannon - read 10/5/2009 - review
   
10. Stretch Marks by Kimberly Stuart - read 10/7/2009 - review
11. Blue Bloods by Melissa de la Cruz - read 10/8/2009 - review
    
12. Would I Lie to You by Cecily von Ziegesar - read 10/8/2009 - review
    
13. Dead to the World by Charlaine Harris - read 10/9/2009 - review
14. Hell's Gate by Stephen Frey - read 10/12/2009 - review
    
15. The Physick Book of Deliverance Dane by Katherine Howe - read 10/18/2009 - review
    
16. The Last Word by Kathy Herman - review - read 10/18/2009 - review
17. See Mom Run: Side Splitting Essays from the Worlds Most Harried Blogging Moms by Beth Feldman - read 10/20/2009 - review
18. Nine Dragons by Michael Connelly - read 10/20/2009 - review
19. City of Bones by Cassandra Clare - read 10/22/2009 - review
    
20. Love You To Death by Shannon K. Butcher - read 10/23/2009 - review
    
21. The Adoration of Jenna Fox by Mary E. Pearson - read 10/24/2009 - review
    
22. Spinning Forward by Terri Dulong - read 10/24/2009 - review
    
23. Maze of Bones (39 Clues book 1) by Rick Riordan - read 10/25/2009 - review
    
24. Always Watching by Brandilynn and Amberly Collins - read 10/26/2009 - review
    
25. Purity in Death by J.D. Robb - read 10/27/2009 - review
26. Last Breath by Brandilynn and Amberly Collins - read 10/27/2009 - review
    
27. Sex, Drugs and Gefilte Fish - read 10/28/2009 - review
28. The Betrayal of Natalie Hargrove - read 10/30/2009 - review
29. Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins - read 10/31/2009
30. Austenland by Shannon Hale - read 11/1/2009 - review
31. The Sugarless Plum - read 11/2/2009 - review
32. The Christmas Clock by Kat Martin - read 11/3/2009 - review
33. Love's Reflection by Carol North - read 11/4/2009 - review
34. Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Dog Days by Jeff Kinney - read 11/5/2009 - review
35. The Clique by Lisi Harrison - read 11/5/2009 - review
36. Best Friends For Never by Lisi Harrison - read 11/6/2009 - review
37. Revenge of the Wannabes - read 11/7/2009 - review
38. A Courtesan's Scandal - read 11/11/2009 - review
39. Invasion of the Boy Snatchers - read 11/12/2009 - review
40. The Secret of Joy by Melissa Senate - read 11/13/2009 - review
41. Masquerade by Melissa de la Cruz - read 11/15/2009
42. The Cutting by James Hayman - read 11/17/2009 - review
43. Prince Caspian by C.S. Lewis - read 11/18/2009 - review
44. I Heart Bloomberg by Melody Carlson - read 11/19/2009 - review
45. Love Finds You in Lonesome Prairie, Montana by Tricia Goyer and Ocieanna Fleiss - read 11/20/2009 - review
46. Sole Survivor by Dean Koontz - read 11/20/2009
47. Fatal Gamble  by J.P. O'Donnell - read 11/22/2009 - review
48. Sins of the Flesh by Caridad Pineiro - read 11/25/2009 - review
49. 13 1/2 by Nevada Barr - read 11/27/2009
50. One False Note by Gordon Korman - read 11/29/2009 - review
51. Matters of the Heart by Danielle Steel - read 12/5/2009
52. Tempted by P.C. and Kristin Cast - read 12/7/2009
53. Revelations by Melissa de la Cruz - read 12/9/2009
54. Blind Sight by James H. Pence - read 12/10/2009 - review
55. The Magic Warble by Victoria Simcox - read 12/11/2009 - review
56. A Precious Jewel by Mary Balogh - read 12/12/2009 - review
57. A Blue and Gray Christmas by Joan Meldicott - read 12/13/2009 - review
58. Southern Lights by Danielle Steel - read 12/14/2009 - review
59. Wisdom Hunter by Randall Arthur - read 12/15/2009 - review
60. The Sheriff's Surrender by Susan Page Davis - read 12/18/2009 - review
61. A Highlander Christmas by Janet Chapman - read 12/19/2009 - review
    
62. Once A Witch by Carolyn MacCullough
63. The Maze Runner by James Dasher
64. The Well-Behaved Child by John Rosemond
65. The Last Song by Nicholas Sparks
66. Hush, Hush by Becca Fitzpatrick

Review and Giveaway - Luv Ya Bunches by Lauren Myracle

Luv Ya Bunches: Book One by Lauren Myracle


My rating: 4.0/5.0
A very cute book meant for tweens. I remember how important friends were in 5th grade so I really enjoyed this book.




About the book:

What do Katie-Rose, Yasaman, Milla, and Violet all have in common? Other than being named after flowers, practically nothing. Katie-Rose is a film director in training. Yasaman is a computer whiz. Milla is third in command of the A list. And Violet is the new girl in school. They’re fab girls, all of them, but they sure aren’t friends. And if evil queen bee Medusa— ’scuse me, Modessa—has her way, they never will be. But this is the beginning of a new school year, when anything can happen and social worlds can collide . . .

My Review:

Ms. Myracle takes four girls who differ in race, family and even religious beliefs and makes a story where through a challenge they become friends. I believe the age group this is intended for can learn a lot from this book about who your real friends are. And I believe that girls reading this will be well entertained. I know I was. I really liked each of the characters and liked how they brought their own set of problems to the table. Even the perfect popular girl had problems and I think this can help younger girls see that no one is perfect and everyone wants to have good friends that they can count on. I do hope this is the beginning of the series because I look forward to learning more about Katie-Rose, Yasaman, Violet and Milla.

There are a couple of questionable to me passages that made me laugh out loud, but I'm not sure I want to explain them to my child at that age. But those would be my only problem with the book.

Unfortunately I have boys so I can't pass this on to them, but I am sure that any 4th or 5th grade girl that enjoys reading will enjoy reading this book.


On-sale Date: October 1, 2009


Also I would like to give away my copy which is an arc. I will open the contest today through October 5th. US and Canada residents only please. Please enter by:

• Commenting on my blog, make sure I have a way to contact you. (+1)
  
• Become a blog follower or let me know if you are already a follower (+2)
• Have you read any books for tweens? What is one you would recommend? (+3)
• Tweet about this review and giveaway, use @cfulcher in the tweet so I can find it (+3) (1 tweet allowed per day)
  
• Follow me on Twitter (or let me know if you are a current follower) (+2)
• Blog about this contest and let me know the link (sidebar or post is fine) (+1)