Review: Prince Caspian by C.S. Lewis

Prince Caspian by C.S. Lewis




My rating: 4.0/5.0



My Review:


While this one was a little slow at the start, once it got going, it really got going. I thoroughly enjoyed the entire book and loved seeing another look into the world of Narnia with Peter, Susan, Edmond and Lucy. My 8-year-old son, Logan was a different story. We started listening to this one about a month ago. It's only 4 CD's, but as we started, I could tell that Logan just couldn't get into it. He kept wanting to listen to music instead (I was giving him a choice). Then as we kept trying it suddenly got interesting to him and we plowed through the next 2 CDs. After a certain point his interest dropped off again. I attribute this more to him and listening to longer books like this than the actual book. He does get bored easy. He will sit and read a book he is interested in for awhile though so I almost think if he was reading it instead of being read to, he would have enjoyed it more.

Though it is definitely slower than The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe, it is well worth reading. We learn what has happened in the time since Peter, Susan, Edmond and Lucy were last in Narnia and how it is in serious trouble with only a few to try and recover the old days. Peter, Susan, Edmond and Lucy are also brought back to Narnia to help Caspian and the animals defend their lovely country from the enemy. Aslan also makes an appearance as the ultimate savior and again is likened to Christ in subtle and not overbearing ways. It's really a beautiful story that focuses on belief in the unbelievable and child-like faith. The world of Narnia is wondrous and full of very interesting characters and they are all fun to learn about.

A wonderful fantasy story for the young and old alike. I am ready to move on to The Voyage of the Dawn Treader now. Not sure about Logan, but hopefully in the next few days we will start it.

About the Book:

The four Pevensies help Caspian battle Miraz and ascend his rightful throne.

Narnia . . . the land between the lamp-post and the castle of Cair Paravel, where animals talk, where magical things happen . . . and where the adventure begins.

Peter, Susan, Edmund and Lucy are returning to boarding school when they are summoned from the dreary train station (by Susan's own magic horn) to return to the land of Narnia—the land where they had ruled as Kings and Queens and where their help is desperately needed.

Challenges:
100+ Book Challenge
Support Your Local Library Challenge
Fall Into Reading Challenge 2009

Amazon Spike Day: Color Me Jazzmyne by Marian Thomas promotion

AMAZON SPIKE DAY!


THE BIGGEST SHOPPING DAY OF THE YEAR­NOVEMBER 27th!


WIN FREE STUFF AND MAKE A GREAT HOLIDAY CHOICE!

On Friday, November 27, click on Color Me Jazzmyne’s Amazon page and buy a copy for yourself (and one for a friend). In order to be entered into the drawing to win a very special tote bag from the author, you must email a copy of your Amazon receipt to the folks at Author Exposure Book Blog (bookpromo at authorexposure dot com) within 24 hours of your purchase. Everyone who purchases a copy of Color Me Jazzmyne on November 27th from Amazon.com AND emails a receipt to bookpromo@authorexposure.com will have a chance to win a nifty tote bag!!









Brief Synopsis:


Color Me Jazzmyne by Marian L. Thomas is a fictional story of a jazz singer named Naya Mona, who was raped by her father. In the tale, Naya recounts her life to her son whom she is meeting for the first time. How do you tell your son that your father is his?


Women will relate to the drama, romance, and struggles Naya Mona goes through as she takes on the stage name­Jazzmyne. She has a voice that commands your attention and takes you on a journey through the life of Naya Mona that is filled with the melodious tones that make Color Me Jazzmyne a true reading pleasure.

Sneak Peak:


To read the first three chapters of Color Me Jazzmyne, visit the author’s website at www.marianlthomas.com or use direct link.

View the Book Video.

About the Author:

Marian L. Thomas is a native of Chicago with a passion for the words that reflect the issues that face women today. However, the concept of putting her thoughts into written form wasn’t realized until her second year in high school when she wrestled with the thought of writing a book she then called What Color is Jazzmyne. In fact, twenty years would pass before she finally debuted a more refined version of her original concept, calling it Color Me Jazzmyne. It was just a few years prior to this that she completed her Bachelor’s Degree in Business Communication, graduating Magna Cum Laude.


Marian now resides in Atlanta, GA with her husband and their spoiled but playful dog. She enjoys writing short stories that have full impact and is currently working on her second novel.

Teaser Tuesday - November 17

Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading. Anyone can play along! Just do the following:
* Grab your current read
* Open to a random page
* Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page
* BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)
* Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!

She was alive.  She was certain of this, but she wasn't sure of where she was or why.

From The Cutting by James Hayman

Book Tour, Review and Giveaway: The Secret of Joy by Melissa Senate

The Secret of Joy by Melissa Senate

My rating:  5.0/5.0

Publisher: Downtown Press
Publish Date: November 17, 2009
Pages:  352



Thanks to Sarah Reidy at Pocket Books for my copy of this book.

The Secret of Joy is a wonderful book - it's funny, touching and a book I'll be thinking about for some time to come.

My Review:

When I started reading this book I was thinking it was chicklit. I received it to be a part of a Pocket Books tour for the title and it's from Downtown Press and by Melissa Senate so I figured it was chicklit.

And maybe it is, but I don't think so - I think it is so much more. It has a twenty-something heroine and she's trying to figure out her life, but there aren't many references to designer clothing (though there are a few designer shoes mentioned). But there is romance and the figuring out her life that Rebecca does seems so much more than it usually is in chicklit (not downing chicklit - I love it). I would almost say this crosses into women's fiction for the younger set.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book and therefore I gave it a rating of 5. The storyline is easy to follow yet not predictable. The characters are wonderful. I enjoyed Rebecca and Joy and of course the divorced ladies (and man) of Joy's small town. Theo was completely yummy and I even liked his dog.

Rebecca's efforts to get to know her sister were interesting to watch and they story unfolded beautifully. I was cheering for Joy and Rebecca the whole time.

The characters and storyline of this book will stay with me for awhile and that tells me it was a good book. I will definitely be checking out more of Melissa Senate's work in the future.

About the Book:

When twenty-something New Yorker Rebecca Strand learns (her father's deathbed confession) that she has a twenty-six-year-old half-sister she never knew existed, she can't wait to meet her. With her lawyer boyfriend's protests ringing in her ears ("She's just going to want her share of his million-dollar estate!"), Rebecca drives to a small coastal town in Maine with the 26 letters her father wrote to Joy every year on her birthday. All alone in the world, Rebecca knocks on Joy Jayhawk's door, having no idea what to expect.

Turns out Joy, the separated mother of a little boy (Rebecca has a nephew!), isn't very interested in the "father" who turned his back on her existence from day one–or her "sister." But Rebecca is so determined to establish family bonds with Joy that she doesn't go home . . . and finds herself being welcomed into small life by some very loveable, quirky characters, including a sexy carpenter named Theo . . .

Challenges:
100+ Book Challenge
Fall Into Reading Challenge 2009


GIVEAWAY:

I will giveaway my once read gently used copy of The Secret of Joy to one commenter.  Simply comment on this post and leave your email and you are entered.  Extra entries for tweeting, following me, subscribing will also be added.  Just let me know what you do.  Giveaway will go through 11/30.

Article: 10 Days Worth of Mood-Boosting, Waist-Shrinking Lunch Ideas by Elizabeth Somer, M.A., R.D.

Here's a great article by the author of Eat Your Way to Happiness which is on my review pile and I'm looking forward to reading it.   Thank you Julie Harabedian of FSB Assoicates for forwarding me this article to use.

10 Day's Worth of Mood-Boosting, Waist-Shrinking Lunch Ideas
by Elizabeth Somer, M.A., R.D.,
Author of Eat Your Way to Happiness

1. Wrap It: Fill a Mission Life Balance flour tortilla with 2 ounces of turkey breast meat, 1/2 cup shredded romaine lettuce, 2 tablespoons grated carrot and 1 tablespoon low-fat Caesar salad dressing. Serve with a glass of 1% milk and a piece of fruit.

2. Salad Fixings: Top 3 cups of baby spinach and/or romaine lettuce with 1/2 cup berries, 1 tablespoon pecans, 1/2 cup broccoli florets, 1/3 cup kidney or black beans and 2 tablespoons low-fat dressing. Serve with 100% whole-grain bread and a slice of low-fat cheese.

3. Pocket It: Fill a 100% whole-wheat pita with 1/2 cup black beans, 1/4 cup grated carrot, 1/4 cup chopped cucumber, 1/4 cup diced red peppers and 2 tablespoons light Italian salad dressing. Serve with Rachel's yogurt and a glass of 100% juice.

4. Burgerville: Top a 100% whole-wheat burger bun with a vegetarian burger, 2 tablespoons low-fat crumbled feta cheese, 1/3 cup baby spinach leaves, and 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard. Serve with a piece of fruit and a glass of 1% milk.

5. Chicken of the Sea Sandwich: Top 2 slices of 100% whole-grain bread with 2 large romaine lettuce leaves and a mixture of 2 ounces drained, water-packed tuna, 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar, 1 tablespoon fat-free mayo and 1/4 cup diced celery. Serve with a side salad or piece of fruit and a glass of soy milk.

6. Take-out Desperado: If you must go, then order a kid's cheeseburger, a side salad with fat-free dressing and apple dippers, or Wendy's Ultimate Chicken Grill Sandwich (hold the mayo), a carton of low-fat milk and a Mandarin Orange cup.

7. Soup-n-Sandwich: Have a bowl of Campbell's Healthy Request Savory Chicken and Long Grain Rice soup and add extra frozen vegetables. Serve with fresh fruit and a grilled cheese sandwich made with 2 slices of 100% whole-grain bread, low-fat cheese and cooking spray instead of butter or oil.

8. Veggie Broil: Cut in half and toast a 100% whole-grain English muffin. On one side, put 2 tablespoons mashed avocado, 1/4 cup alfalfa sprouts, 1 thin slice red onion, 1 teaspoon sesame seeds and 2 teaspoons low-fat ranch dressing, and top with 1 ounce grated, low-fat cheddar cheese. Place under broiler and heat until cheese bubbles. Remove and add other side of muffin to form a sandwich. Serve with tomato juice and a side salad or fruit.

9. Campfire Crunch Sandwich: Mix 2 tablespoons fat-free cream cheese with a dash of lemon juice, lemon peel, 2 tablespoons dried tart cherries, 1/4 cup grated carrot and 3 tablespoons trail mix. Pile onto a slice of 100% whole-grain bread, spread evenly and top with second piece of bread to form a sandwich. Serve with 1% milk and a piece of fruit or a salad.

10. Bagel Sandwich and Slaw: Spread 2 teaspoons Dijon mustard on half a 100% whole-wheat bagel; layer red onion, cucumber, red pepper slices, spinach leaves and low-fat cheese; and top with the other half of the bagel. Serve with broccoli slaw made with broccoli-coleslaw mix, low-fat coleslaw dressing and dried cranberries.


The above is an excerpt from the book Eat Your Way to Happiness by Elizabeth Somer, M.A., R.D.. The above excerpt is a digitally scanned reproduction of text from print. Although this excerpt has been proofread, occasional errors may appear due to the scanning process. Please refer to the finished book for accuracy.
Copyright © 2009 Elizabeth Somer, M.A., R.D., author of Eat Your Way to Happiness

Author Bio
Elizabeth Somer, M.A., R.D., author of Eat Your Way to Happiness, is a registered dietitian and author of several books, including 10 Habits That Mess Up a Woman's Diet, Food & Mood and Age-Proof Your Body. She is a member of the editorial advisory board of Shape magazine and editor in chief of Nutrition Alert, a newsletter that summarizes the current research from more than 6,000 journals. She appears frequently on NBC's Today and other national television shows.

For more information please visit www.EatYourWayToHappiness.com.

Review: Masquerade by Melissa de la Cruz

Masquerade by Melissa de la Cruz

My rating: 4.5/5.0

Publisher: Hyperion
Publish Date: May 1, 2007
Pages: 320

My Review:

Picking up quickly where Blue Bloods left off, this one starts with Oliver and Schuyler on the hunt for her grandfather in Venice. While at home the other Blue Bloods are preparing for the annual Four Hundred Ball.

There is a lot of excitement in this one and I pretty much read it in one sitting. It reads quickly with a lot of action and inner turmoil going on with Schuyler, Oliver, Mimi and Jack. Also a new boy is introduced and quickly becomes part of the story. More and more is learned about the Blue Bloods and the Silver Bloods. Schuyler is also starting to learn to use her gifts.

I really enjoyed this book and this series so far. I have the next one Revelations on my library pile at the moment and I am anxious to pick it up. This is a great young adult paranormal series and I would like to thank all those bloggers who talked these up, because they are the reason I picked this series up and I just love it.

The characters are well done in this one, growing more and learning more from what is going on. I like the continuation through the books because it allows for a more in-depth look at the characters since a small amount of time is covered in each book. Of course I love Schuyler, Ollie, Jack and Bliss. Mimi is there to hate, but I do believe she is still redeemable. I'm still trying to figure out the whole Silver Blood thing and lots of possibilities are still left open and that is part of the fun of these books.

About the Book:

Schuyler Van Alen is starting to get more comfortable with her newfound vampire powers, but she still has many unanswered questions. A trip to Italy in search of her grandfather only serves to make things more confusing. What secrets are the leaders of The Committee hiding? Meanwhile, back in New York, preparations are feverishly underway for the famous Four Hundred Ball. In true Blue Blood fashion, the ball is totally fab, complete with masks, and hidden behind this masquerade is a revelation that will change the course of a young vampire's destiny.

Challenges:
100+ Book Challenge
Support Your Local Library Challenge
Fall Into Reading Challenge 2009
Countdown Challenge 2010

What Are You Reading Monday - November 16

Come post weekly and see what others are reading too just so you can add to your tbr - I always do! For more information see J.Kaye's Book Blog and join in!

Books Completed Last Week:

• A Courtesan's Scandal by Julia London (review)
• Invasion of the Boy Snatchers by Lisi Harrison (library)
• The Secret of Joy by Melissa Senate (review)
• Masquerade by Melissa de la Cruz (library)

Reading Now:

• Once a Witch by Carolyn MacCullough (review)
• Prince Caspian by C.S. Lewis (audiobook with DS)
• Sole Survivor by Dean Koontz (audiobook)
• The Cutting by James Hayman (review)

Reviews Completed Last Week

• The Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Dog Days by Jeff Kinney (4.0/5.0)
• The Clique by Lisi Harrison (4.25/5.0)
• Merchant Kings by Stephen Bown
• To Desire a Devil by Elizabeth Hoyt (4.0/5.0)
• The Betrayal of Natalie Hargrove by Lauren Kate (4.5/5.0)
• Best Friends For Never by Lisi Harrison (4.0/5.0)
• Revenge of the Wannabees by Lisi Harrison (4.75/5.0)
  
• A Courtesan's Scandal by Julia London (4.25/5.0) 
• Invasion of the Boy Snatchers by Lisi Harrison (4.5/5.0)
• Austenland by Shannon Hale (4.0/5.0) 
• Maze of Bones by Rick Riordan (4.0/5.0)
  

Next:

• Kissing Games of the World by Sandi Kahn Shelton
• Love Finds You in Lonesome Prairie Montana by Tricia Goyer and Ocieanna Fleiss
• The Silent Gift by Michael Landon and Cindy Kelley
• The Pretty Committee Strikes Back by Lisi Harrison
  

Reviews to do:

• The Secret of Joy by Melissa Senate
• Masquerade by Melissa de la Cruz
• Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins
• Only In Your Dreams by Cecily von Ziegesar
• Beyond the Highland Mist by Karen Marie Moning
• Vampire Academy by Richelle Mead
• The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins
• Relentless by Dean Koontz
• Hunted by P.C. and Kristin Cast
• The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo by Stieg Larsson
• True Colors by Kristen Hannah

Summary -

It was an excellent week for getting things reviewed, but not as great on the reading side.  The books have taken me longer and I have been a little busier.  I think this week will be better.  Logan (my oldest) and I have been making great progress on Prince Caspian (it took a little bit to get into) and I'm almost done with Sole Survivor on audio.  I have several books to read for tours this week and some catch-up to do on others, so I need to get reading!