The House at Rose Creek by Jenny Proctor, a book review

The House at Rose Creek by Jenny Proctor was a little difficult to get into at first for me. I kept with it, though, because a dear friend sent me the book so I was determined to finish it no matter what. As it happens, it is a wonderful story of change, hope, love, and faith. I enjoyed it thoroughly and recommend it to anyone who wants to feel uplifted by a good read. Just give it a few chapters to get really good.

Kate either is or feels like she is a bit of a black sheep in her family. She is a career woman and has no desire to be any other way. She figures there isn't anything wrong with her extremely narrow and selfish lifestyle. At least, until she ends up back where she grew up as a result of a loss in the family and re-evaluates her priorities as a result of the loss and a find in the attic of her childhood home.

I really enjoyed this book. Especially the subject brought into the story by the find in the attic!  Religion and family become a large focus and the main character struggles with change.  It's so real and REAL!

Have you read The House at Rose Creek by Jenny Proctor? What did you think of it?

Dollbaby by Laura Lane McNeal, a book review

Dollbaby by Laura Lane McNeal is a story about an eccentric woman, her family, and her serving woman's family. I thought this story was about one person… the character first introduced and from whose perspective the story seems to be told in the beginning. The story telling perspective changes throughout the story, though.  Even so, it was done well, so it was easy to follow.

I especially enjoyed the past of the eccentric woman, which is revealed as the story progresses. She starts out as a great mystery. By the end of the book she is less a mystery and more a beloved lady, at least to me.

This was an enjoyable story that I felt drawn back to when I needed to leave it for other work. It is adult fiction and I will not allow my twelve and ten year old daughters to read it any time soon. There is definitely adult material contained within. Additionally there are a few curse words, about which I was very disappointed.

Have you read Dollbaby by Laura Lane McNeal? What did you think about it?

The Gorgon's Gaze by Julia Golding, a book review

The Gorgon's Gaze by Julia Golding is a mix of mythology and fantasy in the modern day. This is the second in a quartet, but I haven't read the first. I enjoyed this book a great deal. I read it in one day by reading during the night. It is a compelling story. My eldest daughter recommended it highly and agree, it's a good story. We look forward to reading more of the series very soon.

This story is about Connie who is a universal companion. Companions usually have a specific species to which they can mentally speak and interact. The species may be as mundane as canine. Or it may be as mystical and unusual as a unicorn.

Connie is unusual because she is the only universal the Society has become aware of for a very long time. Her abilities as a Universal Companion make her unique among the gifted. In this story, her great aunt, with the blessing of her parents, takes her away from those like her in an attempt to cleans her of her craziness. The great aunt is running away from similar within herself and the harm she did in her past. Connie will still have to face her destiny, even though her great aunt would have it otherwise.

I do recommend this story. Have you read The Gorgon's Gaze by Julia Golding? What did you think of it?

Promised by Caragh M. O'Brien, a book review

Promised by Caragh M. O'Brien is a really good final book in the Birthmarked series. I enjoyed it and felt like it definitely continued to deliver more of the engaging and enjoyable story about Gaia and Leon. What's more, this trilogy is a worthwhile read. There are challenging topics mentioned and faced, mostly related to birth since Gaia is a midwife. Abortion is the most controversial subject handled and that was, more in the second book, Prized, than this one.

As a result of those subjects relating to birth, as well as due to the action sequences, and other mature topics, I won't let my twelve and ten year old daughters read this trilogy until they are sixteen or older. However, this story will provide a great backdrop for many conversations once they do read it.

One of the indications of a really good book is that it seeps into my dreams. My mind can't seem to let go of it even while I sleep and so the story comes alive in my dreams. This did not happen while I was reading the Birthmarked series. However, another indication of a well-written, enjoyable, and engaging story is that I feel unable to disconnect from it when I've finished the last book in the trilogy or series, as the case may be. Even though I moved into another book that was a continuation of a series I already know I enjoy, I couldn't stop thinking about this series. Since I missed reading the first before the second and third, I'm looking forward to reading it just because I want to learn more about the incidences alluded to in the second and third installments of the trilogy. Gaia Stone and Leon Vlatir definitely got my attention while I read about them… and maintained it even when I was done.

Obviously, I enjoyed this book and recommend it for mature teens and adults.

Have you read Promised by Caragh M. O'Brien? What did you think of it?

Prized by Caragh M. O'Brien, a book review

Prized by Caragh M. O'Brien is the second installment of the Birthmarked trilogy. It is a captivating read and feels like a many faceted jewel of a story! Additionally, because of the way in which the story is told and usage of unusual verbiage, one may feel smarter just reading it.

In this story, the first part I've read, though it's the second installment in the trilogy, Gaia, a sixteen year old midwife, is trying to keep her newborn sister safe and escape those who would take her. The community they enter is matriarchal and, perhaps, almost a perfect DICHOTOMY (?correct usage?? OPPOSITE) to the community in which Gaia was born. The women rule in Sylum.

The rules are extreme and the rulers unwilling to change. Among the problems Gaia faces, she is put in a position via which the subject of abortion is considered. I felt like it was handled relatively well (considering my very conservative perspective), but because of that mature subject matter and the handling of intimacy, my twelve year old and younger daughters will have to wait to read this trilogy.

I do look forward to reading the first part of the trilogy. I do recommend this story to mature teenagers and adults.

Have you read Prized by Caragh M. O'Brien? What did you think of it?