Review: Audiobook, The Screwtapes Letters & Screwtape Proposes a Toast by C.S. Lewis

I enjoy listening to audiobooks while I work on household projects. I recently downloaded The Screwtape Letters audiobook via Pioneer (Utah's Online Library). It also includes Screwtape Proposes a Toast, and is read by Ralph Cosham (who does an excellent job).

A masterpiece of satire, this classic has entertained and enlightened readers the world over with its sly and ironic portrayal of human life and foibles from the vantage point of Screwtape, a highly placed assistant to "Our Father Below." At once wildly comic, deadly serious, and strikingly original, C. S. Lewis gives us the correspondence of the worldly-wise old devil to his nephew Wormwood, a novice demon in charge of securing the damnation of an ordinary young man.

Even though I can't always give 100% attention to an audiobook, I thoroughly enjoyed Screwtape's letters to Wormwood, and his toast to fellow demons. There was so much food for thought. Many of the demons "tricks" are things/attitudes that I've seen often in my life. This is definitely a book to read (there were so many parts I would have marked).

Review: Intrinsical by Lani Woodland

Sixteen-year-old Yara Silva has always known that ghosts walk alongside the living. Her grandma, like the other females in her family, is a Waker, someone who can see and communicate with ghosts. Yara grew up watching her grandmother taunted and scorned for this unusual ability and doesn't want that to be her future. She has been dreading the day when she too would see ghosts, and is relieved that the usually dominant Waker gene seems to have skipped her, letting her live a normal teenage life. However, all that changes for Yara on her first day at her elite boarding school when she discovers the gene was only lying dormant. She witnesses a dark mist attack Brent, a handsome fellow student, and rushes to his rescue. Her act of heroism draws the mist's attention, and the dark spirit begins stalking her. Yara finds herself entrenched in a sixty-year-old curse that haunts the school, threatening not only her life, but the lives of her closest friends as well. Yara soon realizes that the past she was trying to put behind her isn't going to go quietly.

While I love to own books, I don't typically buy them unless I've read them first (unless it's part of a series that I really like). However, awhile back I read a good review about Intrinsical, and I enjoyed the sample I found online. So, when I saw a heads-up that the eBook was available for only 99 cents, I bought it (along with its sequel).

The idea of being a Waker was intriguing to me, and the boarding school setting (which just went co-ed) added a great element to the story. Yara and her friend Cheri made a good duo. Yara was fairly serious while Cheri kept things on the lighter side (most of the time).

Not too far into the story a major event took place that totally threw me for a loop. I had no idea how the situation would be resolved (as it seemed that there was no coming back from it). But, I was happy with the resolution.

If you like reading ghost stories (especially close to Halloween), consider adding Intrinsical to your list. It's mysterious without being overly creepy. There are plenty of serious moments, but there are light moments along with a well-paced romance.

Review: A Timeless Romance Anthology (Winter Collection)

This anthology has six romantic short stories by popular authors Sarah M. Eden, Heidi Ashworth, Annette Lyon, Joyce DiPastena, Donna Hatch, and Heather B. Moore.

Donna Hatch is new to me, but I have read (and enjoyed) many books by the rest of the authors, so I was really excited to receive this eBook for review. And, I was very happy with Donna's story, A Winter's Knight. I'll be looking for more of her books!

All of the stories had sweet, clean romances. I can't quite decide if not wanting some of the stories to end so soon is a negative or a positive. There were great characters in wonderful settings. They were also pretty perfect to read during a busy week. I typically had enough time to get through a story per day in the free moments I had.

This anthology was released on October 1st, and is available as an eBook for $3.99 on Kindle, Smashwords, and Nook.You can read more about each story on the Timeless Romance Anthologies blog.

Review: Take My Heart by Marie Higgins

Switching roles and the pursuit of freedom come together in the hunt to discover who can be trusted and who is really the traitor during the Colonial times. Mercedes Maxwell’s sister’s last wish was for Mercedes to find evidence against Kat’s husband, William Braxton, and have him hung as a traitor to the crown. Mercedes isn’t naïve when it comes to capturing traitors, because her own deceased husband had once been an agent for the King when they lived in England.

When she meets William Braxton for the first time, all is not as it seems. Portraying her twin, Mercedes knows this is the only way to get close enough to William to discover his secrets. What she finds along the way are little surprises she hadn’t counted on, especially when she begins to give her heart to a man who may be a spy against the crown.

I haven't read very many books that take place in the Colonial Period, but being a fan of historical fiction in general, I was excited to read Take My Heart. The author, Marie Higgins, refers to her books as "sweet historical romances." I think that is a great way to describe Take My Heart. It was a bit lighter on historical details than I was anticipating, but I did get a feel for both sides of the political issues of the time. This was unique because most of what I've read during this time period only focuses on the Patriots' viewpoint. The Loyalists' side was very interesting to read about.

Mercy's character was very likeable (and so opposite from her sister). Her kindness to William's children was endearing and her actions were selfless. Even pretending to be her sister was done in honor of her loyalty to her country and her family. I also appreciated that she was open minded, and was able to change direction when she saw a better way.

The cover image had me a little concerned about the content, but I thought Higgins did a nice job of not dwelling on certain aspects that other authors tend to give too much detail to. For example, a married couple has intercourse, but other than knowing that it happened, there are no details. I appreciate being left outside the door for moments like that.

I'm looking forward to reading more of Marie Higgins' books, especially to see how she writes about other historical periods.

*I received an e-copy of Take My Heart in exchange for a review.

Book Club: Edenbrooke by Julianne Donaldson

This has been a crazy, busy week. One of those weeks where Tuesday feels like Friday. Some of today's busyness is preparation for hosting book club tonight-this is very good busy! Time with friends, some yummy food, and discussion on what is probably the most enjoyable book I've read all year: Edenbrooke by Julianne Donaldson.

I read (and reviewed) it back in June. I've since read it at least one more time, and purchased the print copy (because when you love a book, owning the physical copy is so much more satisfying than owning a digital copy). I did try listening to the audiobook when I had to spend a lot of time in the car. The reader and I didn't get along, but I still LOVE the book.

So, tonight my friends will come over and we'll enjoy some wassail (we aren't tea drinkers), cucumber sandwiches, and scones (along with some other goodies). We'll talk about this wonderful novel, and relate to each others' experiences of not being able to put the book down.

I can't wait!

Book Blast: The Reluctant Bachelorette by Rachael Anderson

Unknowingly cast as the bachelorette for her town’s charity event, Taycee Emerson wants out. Especially when she discovers her old teenage crush, Luke Carney, is one of the bachelors and it's up to the viewers--not her--to decide which bachelors stay or go.

Coerced into participating, Taycee does what any self-preserving girl would do. She launches a subtle attack on Luke’s good name with the hope of getting him voted off the show. Unfortunately, Luke's an eye-for-an-eye kind of guy, and when he discovers what she's up to, it means revenge.

But when their pranks go south, will they screw up any chance they have at a future together, or will they be able to forgive and forget and prove that love really does conquer all?

About the Author:
Rachael Anderson is the author of four contemporary romances: Divinely Designed, Luck of the Draw, Minor Adjustments, and The Reluctant Bachelorette. She's the mother of four, can't sing, doesn't dance, and despises tragedies. But she recently figured out how yeast works and can now make homemade bread, which she is really good at eating.


 

Author Links:

Facebook | Website | Twitter | Goodreads | Amazon author page

The Reluctant Bachelorette Blog Tour - October 2012

Giveaway Details:

$50 Amazon Gift Code compliments of Author Rachael Renee Anderson

Ends 10/31/12

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Review: The Breath of Dawn by Kristen Heitzmann

Corporate turnaround specialist Morgan Spencer, dubbed the "success guru," has a Midas touch in business. But losing his wife sent him to the brink, and his two-year-old daughter, Livie, is all he's living for--until they encounter a woman whose trouble just might draw him out of his own.
 
Four years ago Quinn Reilly did the right thing. Now the man her testimony put in jail is getting out. Though she has put up barriers to protect herself and those around her, she has come to care for the Spencer family, especially the winsome Livie and her mercurial father. Unwilling to put them at risk when the threats begin, she requests something she hopes the super-successful Morgan might be able to deliver.

Fixing problems is what Morgan does best, but his counter proposal takes them in a direction neither is equipped to handle. Determined to confront the past, will they survive to build a future?

I have mixed feelings about this book. I've read (and liked) every Kristen Heitzmann book my library has, so when I saw the ARC for her latest book The Breath of Dawn on NetGalley, I was very excited to read it.

I was pulled in right away. Quinn's unique occupation and personality (not to mention her name) made for a wonderful main character. Morgan, successful, handsome and heartbroken, was great too. For quite awhile I was very into their story, but the pace slowed and dragged at times during the 416 pages.

I struggled with the parts about mental illness and evil spirits. Also, it seemed that the Lord's name was taken in vain several times. Some of that may have been a call for a heavenly help, but the way it was done rubbed me the wrong way.

I was surprised that there was sex in this novel, as I can't recall it in any other Bethany House published novels that I've read. There weren't details, and the couple was married, but I guess it stood out because the marriage was looked at as a business proposition instead of a loving relationship. They voided what they'd agreed to out of lust instead of love, at least initially.

Those issues aside, I enjoyed the overall story. I would recommend reading this as an e-book though, so you have the dictionary option right at your fingertips. Heitzmann seemed to be testing the limits of her vocabulary (or the thesaurus).