Category: Books Read-2010

Through Thick and Thin Book 2 London Chronicles Review

Posted on by Cindy

TITLE: Through Thick & Thin (London Chronicles)
AUTHOR: Sandra Byrd
PUBLISHER: Tyndale
PUB DATE: March 2010
PAGES: 271

ABOUT THE BOOK:

Savvy Smith, 15, sees her chance to write a full column in the paper,
making her name and making her way in her new hometown near London, England. But
the choices she faces when given the chance to choose between friends, family,
and fame may turn her dream into a nightmare. London Confidential is a new
series where British fashion, friendships, and guys collide, and an all-American
girl learns to love life and live out her faith.

From the Back Cover
My assignment was clear. I had to find a way
into that photo shoot. And then get Jack to allow me to write a feature article
for the Wexburg Academy Times. Savvy Smith, 15, sees her chance to write a full
column in the paper, making her name and making her way in her new hometown near
London, England. But the choices she faces when given the chance to choose
between friends, family, and fame may turn her dream into a nightmare. London
Confidential: Where British fashion, friendships, and guys collide, and where an
all-American girl learns to love life and live out her faith.

MY THOUGHTS:

Earlier this month I was given the chance to read and review Asking For Trouble which is the first book in a new series by author Sandra Byrd called the London Chronicles. I loved this book so much that I rushed out to buy book 2 Through Thick & Thin.

Savvy is still writing the column Asking For Trouble for the Wexburg Academy school newspaper and its going really well. No one knows who is writing except for Jack.
Savvy is dying to have her own byline in the paper and is trying so hard to get it. When she hears about a fashion photo shoot with her favorite designer Peter Chen she decides she has to get in and hopefully get the article.
She quickly realizes that the photo shoot is being done at an Aristocrat’s (popular kid’s) estate. She realizes getting in won’t be as easy as she thinks. She has to work and prove that she is worthy of attending this event.
Savvy decides that she must look the part, she needs new clothes. When she asks her parents to take her into London they are busy and can’t. She looks around at the shops in town but quickly realizes nothing will do. Whats a girl to do? Will she sneak off to London to do some shopping?
With a new look for every Friday she finally gets the nod of approval from the aristocrats. She gets her ticket into the shoot and is excited. Although her excitement is short lived when the one person she was hoping could help her can’t and she is forced to take someone who is basically fashion challenged.
Will she get that by line or will a secret come back to haunt her?

I am anxiously awaiting book 3 and 4 which will be coming out soon. Here is a sneak peak at the covers. I couldn’t find dates of when they will be released but I am hoping really soon.

copyright 2010, Cindy (Cindy’s Love Of Books)
If you are reading this on a blog or website other than Cindy’s Love Of Books or via a feedreader, this content has been stolen and used without permission.

The Cinderella Society Review

Posted on by Cindy


TITLE: The Cinderella Society
AUTHOR: Kay Cassidy
PUB DATE:
April 2010
PAGES: 336

ABOUT THE BOOK:
Sixteen-year-old Jess Parker survives by staying invisible. After nine schools in ten years, she’s come to terms with life as a perpetual new girl, neither popular nor outcast. At Mt. Sterling High, Jess gets the chance of a lifetime: an invitation to join The Cinderella Society, a secret club of the most popular girls in school, where makeovers are the first order of official business. But there’s more to being a Cindy than just reinventing yourself from the outside, a concept lost on Jess as she dives tiara-first into creating a hot new look.

With a date with her popular crush and a chance to finally fit in, Jess’s life seems to be a perfect fairy tale. That is until the Wickeds–led by Jess’s archenemy–begin targeting innocent girls in their war against the Cindys, and Jess discovers her new sisterhood is about much more than who rules Mt. Sterling High School. It’s a centuries-old battle of good vs. evil, and the Cindys need Jess on special assignment. But when the mission threatens to destroy her new dream life, Jess is forced to choose between this dream realized and honoring the Sisterhood. What’s a girl to do when the glass slipper fits, but she doesn’t want to wear it anymore?

MY THOUGHTS:
The Cinderella Society is being released today and I was lucky enough to get an ARC of this book. The next book is suppose to be released sometime in 2011.

This is Kay Cassidy’s debut novel. I really enjoyed the book and had a hard time to put it down.

Jess is just your typical girl trying to fit into a new school. We discover that in the world there are Cinderella’s, Wickeds and Reggies. Cinderella’s are the good girls, the Wickeds are the bad girls and the Reggies are just your regular people, like me.

The Wickeds want to rule the world and dominate over everyone and they basically will step on anyone who gets in there way and they use the Reggies to spy and to control them. Enter the secret society of Cinderella’s. They want to bring good to the world one step at time.

Jess is tormented by Lexy on a daily bases and Jess always wonders when Lexy will get tired of tormenting her. Lexy’s other victim is Heather. Lexy is the common bond for these two girl and Jess tells Heather that its okay to stand up to Lexy and not let her blackmail her. That basically once your secret is out Lexy has no control over her.

When Jess is invited to be a part of the Cinderella Society she is happy and excited to be a part of something good and hopes that she can bring good to the Reggies. In order to be a Cinderella there is a whole book of things you must do and follow and one of those things is to look the part. Which means a whole new make over.

With the new make over she attracts the attention of a popular guy, Ryan who just happens to be Lexy’s brother. Jess is happy to finally be fitting into something. Ryan appears to be the your typical guy who is good looking and keeps his sensitive side hidden not even letting Jess see the real him.

How will Jess handle the new situation she is placed in and will she be surprised when she learns who the other ladies are that have been part of the Cinderella society? Will she risk it all to save the reggies?

Thanks to Egmont USA for sending me a copy of this book to read and review.

copyright 2010, Cindy (Cindy’s Love Of Books)
If you are reading this on a blog or website other than Cindy’s Love Of Books or via a feedreader, this content has been stolen and used without permission.

Dirty Little Secrets Review

Posted on by Cindy

Dirty Little Secrets
TITLE: Dirty Little Secrets
AUTHOR: C.J. Omololu
PUB DATE: February 2010
PAGES: 212

ABOUT THE BOOK:
A gripping story about the secret shame of compulsive hoarding

Everyone has a secret. But Lucy’s is bigger and dirtier than most. It’s one she’s been hiding for years—that her mom’s out-of-control hoarding has turned their lives into a world of garbage and shame. She’s managed to keep her home life hidden from her best friend and her crush, knowing they’d be disgusted by the truth. So, when her mom dies suddenly in their home, Lucy hesitates to call 911 because revealing their way of life would make her future unbearable—and she begins her two-day plan to set her life right.

With details that are as fascinating as they are disturbing, C. J. Omololu weaves an hour-by-hour account of Lucy’s desperate attempt at normalcy. Her fear and isolation are palpable as readers are pulled down a path from which there is no return, and the impact of hoarding on one teen’s life will have readers completely hooked.

MY THOUGHTS:

After reading Kristi’s The Story Siren review of Dirty Little Secrets I had to rush out and buy the book.

All I have to say is “OMG” what a read. It was really good but yet sad and disturbing. Once I started to read the book I couldn’t put it down and I pretty much managed to read it in one sitting. I think there was only one part that I found kind of gross and I had to put the book down but I guess it is to be expected in a household that hoards.

Lucy is the main character and she is a young teenage girl who wants a life like her friends do and to live like they do. In a clean and organized house. Only once has Lucy’s secret got out and she was made fun of. Now in a new school she is trying so hard to keep her lies and her secrets from her best friend, Kaylie.

No one knows what goes on behind closed doors. That is until her mother suddenly dies in the house buried under junk that Lucy fears her secret is about to explode and everyone will find out what kind of life Lucy is living. She is afraid that she will loose her best friend and possible new boyfriend should word get out about what goes on behind closed doors.

The book is about that one day when Lucy finds her mother dead on the floor. She fears calling 911 because she doesn’t want everyone to know about the hoarding. So she comes up with a plan, will she be able to do it or will it all back fire?

In a way I was frustrated with Lucy for not calling 911 but for some reason I could understand why she didn’t right away. If you had that kind of secret would you want the world to know?

Did you know that within 100,000 people that roughly 350 of them are hoarders?
Did you know that 250,000 animals are victims to animal hoarding?

Thankfully I have no problem passing things on and getting rid of things either by friends, drop off center or recycling (garbage etc. I never knew anyone like this growing up and it was only when I met someone in my now extended family did I realize this was something. I knew this person was a hoarder from day one of walking into his apartment. He would never throw away anything and I mean that. I know the location of a storage locker to prove it. He would actually root through what people threw away and if it was good he would pick it up. He tried several times to pass things on to us and we would quickly throw it away once we got home.

For more information on hoarding you can check out this website http://www.childrenofhoarders.com/

copyright 2010, Cindy (Cindy’s Love Of Books)
If you are reading this on a blog or website other than Cindy’s Love Of Books or via a feedreader, this content has been stolen and used without permission.

Asking For Trouble Review

Posted on by Cindy

Asking for Trouble (London Confidential)TITLE: Asking For Trouble
AUTHOR: Sandra Byrd
PUB DATE: April 2010
PUBLISHER: Tyndale House Publishing
PAGES: 272

ABOUT THE BOOK:
When her family moves to London, 15-year-old Savvy Smith has
to make her way in a new school and a new country. She just knows the school
newspaper is the right place for her, but she doesn’t have the required
experience, and the cute editor-in-chief is not looking to train anyone. She has
to come up with a way to prove herself and nab the one available position on the
newspaper staff at Wexburg Academy. London Confidential is a new series where
British fashion, friendships, and guys collide, and where an all-American girl
learns to love life and live out her faith.

MY THOUGHTS:

Sandra is a new to me author. She has written several adult and young adult novels. Asking For Trouble is her latest young adult novel which just happens to be part of a four book series.

Savvy’s family has just moved to London England. She is 15 years old. Her father got a job promotion and that is why the family is in London. Her mother is a stay at home mom and she has a little sister and her dog to deal with.

Her father is doing very well he fits in at work it just seems like everyone else hasn’t just yet. Savvy hasn’t made friends yet and its seems like her old friends from back home are all moving on which bothers Savvy.

Savvy wants to fit into her new school very badly and make friends. She discovers how hard it is to fit in and to make friends as it seems like everyone is already friends with who they want to be.

Seeing a poster in school looking for someone to help out on the Wexburg Academy school newspaper. Savvy jumps at the chance thinking this will be her ticket in. The only thing about this is that Savvy has no experience working on a school paper and Jack the super cute editor of the paper lets Savvy know he has no time to train her but offers her the position of delivering the school paper.

With the chance of the school dropping the paper from the budget they have to figure out how to keep the paper alive. Savvy comes up with the idea to put in an advise column. Jack likes the idea and she writes a sample column and gives it to him. Will he think its good enough to get a spot on the school paper or will it go to someone else?

I really enjoyed reading Asking For Trouble so much that I actually went out and bought the second book in the series. There was enough action going on in the book that kept me interested in reading the book and I managed to read it in one sitting. I think this is a great book for the tween and young adult crowd.
Through Thick & Thin (London Confidential)

http://www.sandrabyrd.com/index.htm

Special thanks to Christy Wong of Tyndale House Publishers for sending me a review copy.

copyright 2010, Cindy (Cindy’s Love Of Books)
If you are reading this on a blog or website other than Cindy’s Love Of Books or via a feedreader, this content has been stolen and used without permission.

This Little Prayer of Mine Review

Posted on by Cindy

This Little Prayer of Mine
TITLE: This Little Prayer of Mine
AUTHOR: Anthony DeStefano
ILLUSTRATOR: Mark Elliott
PUB DATE: February 2010
PUBLISHER: WaterBrook Press
PAGES: 40

ABOUT THE BOOK:
Nothing Compares to Childlike Faith

I know you’re up in heaven, God, and can hear my voice from there. I’m just a little child.

Will you answer my short prayer?

So begins this delightful book that affirms God’s readiness to answer our prayers, no matter what our age.

With engaging rhymes and beautiful illustrations, This Little Prayer of Mine assures children that God is always near–watching, listening, caring, and eager to respond to their requests. They’ll also learn that prayer isn’t just about asking for things, but about sharing their feelings of sadness and uncertainty as well as of thanksgiving and joy.

Most importanly, This Little Prayer of Mine reminds children—and those who love them—that they can trust God to tenderly care for them, no matter what the future holds.

Author Bio:

Anthony DeStefano is the author of The Prayers God Always Says Yes To and A Travel Guide to Heaven. He has received prestigious awards from religious organizations worldwide for his efforts to advance Christian beliefs in modern culture.

Mark Elliott’s brilliant illustrations have appeared in popular picture books and novels for young readers, including Gail Carson Levine’s Princess Tales series. His acclaimed artwork delivers inspiration, wonder, and timeless beauty on every page.
 
OUR THOUGHTS:
Thanks to Staci at WaterBrook Multnomah for allowing me to be a part of the tour for this book and for sending me a copy of the book to read and review.

Everytime I picked up this book the song  This Little Light of Mine kept popping in my head. Not sure if anyone else felt like that or not.

The illustrations in the book are absolutely adorable and so life like. They went really well with the words as Michael pointed out. For me I think having pictures that suit the words makes that book the more enjoyable and understanding for kids.

Michael enjoyed listening to this book when I read it to him. He pointed out that the story was told in rhymes.

We talk about God and how important it is in our lives and about praying. Michael asked how do you pray and what do you say. I showed Michael how to pray and told him to say what he felt like thank you for my mom and dad, the food that you give me and the house I have. Of course Michael wouldn’t be Michael if he didn’t ask if it was okay to pray for toys etc.

I think this is a great addition to our family library.

You can use this link to purchase This Little Prayer of Mine.

Please note that: This book was provided for review by the WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group.

copyright 2010, Cindy (Cindy’s Love Of Books)
If you are reading this on a blog or website other than Cindy’s Love Of Books or via a feedreader, this content has been stolen and used without permission.

Horrid Henry’s Joke Book Review and Give away

Posted on by Cindy

Horrid Henry's Joke Book
TITLE: Horrid Henry’s Joke Book
AUTHOR: Francesca Simon
ILLUSTRATOR: Tony Ross
PUB DATE: April 2010
PUBLISHER: Sourcebooks
PAGES: 112

ABOUT THE BOOK:
Warning: Too rude for parents and for slimy toad little brothers!

These are Horrid Henry’s very own jokes: the jokes that grossed out Mom and Dad… that made Aunt Ruby run home… that sent Miss Battle-Axe screaming from class. Be horrid! Read Henry’s jokes. Then tell them to the world! Horrid Henry’s Joke Book features chapters dedicated to jokes much too rude for Mom, jokes not to tell your teacher, wisecracks for your baby-sitter (just make sure you can make a quick getaway!), underpants and stink bomb witticisms, and more humor from Moody Margaret, Sour Susan, Aerobic Al, Beefy Bert and Dinosaur Dave.

OUR THOUGHTS:

Knock knock.
Who’s there?
Boo.
Boo who?
Don’t cry it’s only a joke!

We love reading about the horrible things that Horrid Henry does in his books so when given the chance to read an advance readers copy of this book I jumped at the chance. Its exactly what it say it is a joke book.

I started to read this before Michael came home from school and I sat there laughing at some of the jokes.

Which pet makes the most noise?
A trum-pet!

 
When Michael got home I showed him the book and he was excited because it was Horrid Henry and asked me to read it to him so I would tell him to pick a number (that would be the page number) and then tell him to give me another number (that would be the joke I would read) some of them he would laugh at and others he would look at me and say “Is that suppose to be funny? Cause I don’t get it!”
 
Some of the jokes were funny and some I think were a little too old for him to understand. All in all it was a good laugh for me and of course Michael too.
 
This is Michael’s favorite joke from the book:
 

MARGARET: Knock Knock.
SUSAN: Who’s there?
MARGARET: Lettuce.
SUSAN: Lettuce who?
MARGARET: Lettuce in, it’s raining.

Michael loves knock knock jokes so those went over really well with him. Those were by far the best jokes in the book for him.

Thanks to Liz at Sourcebooks for allowing me to be a part of the tour for this book and for sending me a copy to read and review.

GIVE AWAY TIME!
I have 2 Horrid Henry April Activity Posters to giveaway to two lucky readers.

RULES:
-One Canadian and One International.
-The contest ends April 5th at midnight. Winners will be announce April 6th. Sorry that this is a short contest but I want you to enjoy the April Activity sheet.
– +1 for leaving email address
  +1 if you are a follower of this blog
  +5 if you leave a joke
-When you leave a comment please leave it to one comment. Its easier to add up that way.

This is what the prize win looks like. Just a heads up to everyone I am only giving away the posters and not the book.

Thanks again to Liz at Sourcebooks for providing this giveaway.

copyright 2010, Cindy (Cindy’s Love Of Books)
If you are reading this on a blog or website other than Cindy’s Love Of Books or via a feedreader, this content has been stolen and used without permission.

In The Midst of it All Review

Posted on by Cindy

In the Midst of It AllTITLE: In the Midst of it All
AUTHOR: Tiffany L. Warren
PUB DATE: February 2010
PUBLISHER: Grand Central Publishing
PAGES: 320

All her life, Zenovia has struggled with the burden of caring for her schizophrenic mother, Audrey, alone. Until one day, God seems to offer support in the form of two members of a church called the Brethren of the Sacrifice, who knock at the women’s door preaching an unconventional version of the Gospel. Despite having questions, Zenovia agrees to join the church along with her mother. Soon afterward, Audrey stops taking her medication when fellow churchgoers deem her illness a demonic possession. Unable to watch her mother’s mental deterioration, Zenovia flees town, only to receive a fateful phone call several years later telling her of her mother’s suicide. Heartbroken, Zenovia must now make a soul-altering choice: accept “God’s will,” or return home to confront the demons she’s worked so hard to leave behind….

MY THOUGHTS:

This is Tiffany’s fourth book. I got to read her third book last year called The Bishops Daughter and really enjoyed it so when I found out this was her newest book I knew I had to read this one. I was not disappointed. I really enjoyed reading it. It was a quick read once you started it. I had a hard time putting it down because it seemed like every time I tried something happened that left me wondering what would happen.

Zenovia otherwise known as Zee lives with her mother, Audrey. Audrey suffers from schrophrenia and is on medication to control it. Whenever they go out which isn’t very often because Zee is worried that her mother will have a hard time, so she keeps a close eye on her.

They haven’t been to church in awhile and are invited to attend a service at the Brethren. Its unlike any church service that Zee has been too. There are some strict rules at this church that are set up by the elders. Some of the things that they must obey after they are baptized into the church is that your not allowed to associated with a sinner, can’t attend university, etc. If you break these rules you will be shunned.

Zee quickly feels welcomed by the young people she meets and quickly forms bonds with then and even catching the eye of some of the guys in the church. She quickly forms a friendship with Tristian which devlops into a crush. She realizes that there will be nothing between them and he leads her to believe they are only best friends. When Emil catches her eye she is quickly mesmorized by him. He is the bad boy sorta. He is not baptized in to the Brethren.

Things quickly heat up between Zee and Emil. She realizes what she did was wrong and confesses her sins only to be an outcast. They break up and she has university to excape to in a few months. Away at univeristy she lives her life for her and its only until she accidently bumps into Justin (Tristian’s brother). She graduates from univeristy with only her cousin and Justin to watch her.

What will happen when Justin asks for a chance to be with her? When given the chance to return home how will Zee react? Will she be welcomed back?

Curious to know what happens? Then I suggest you pick up the book.

Thanks to Miriam at HBG for sending me a copy of In The Midst of it All to read and review.

copyright 2010, Cindy (Cindy’s Love Of Books)
If you are reading this on a blog or website other than Cindy’s Love Of Books or via a feedreader, this content has been stolen and used without permission.