Saturday, October 31, 2009

I'm Cleaning House At Sheila's!!



My friend Sheila from One Person's Journey Through a World of Books is currently away on a mission trip to Honduras. She asked me to make sure the cobwebs get knocked down and the books get dusted while she's away and I was more than happy to oblige.

She is such a wonderful giving person and she's given me permission to give away one of HER prizes from her prize box!! To enter, please visit her blog and find out what book I've recently won from her. Then come back here and leave a comment with your answer as well as your email address (if you don't leave your email address, I have no way to contact you to tell you that you've won). You have until Nov. 7 at 11:59 PM EST to enter. I will use random.org to determine the winner.

Not only will you win a prize from her prize box, you will also get a $10 Amazon gift card from me. Sheila is getting her choice of book from her wish list as well.

Bookmark and Share







Monday, October 26, 2009

Mailbox Monday




Mailbox Monday is hosted by Marcia at The Printed Page each Monday so that other book lovers and bloggers can see and comment on what's in the mailbox. Thanks Marcia for a great way of posting our new (or new to us) books!!

Have you read a book on my list? Please comment on it. It's possible I will use your comment and link back to you when I post my review of a particular book!

To Review:
Coppola: A Pediatric Surgeon in Iraq
by Dr. Chris Coppola (direct publisher contact. received complimentary review copy)
Soul Catcher by Deborah Smith writing as Leigh Bridger (received review copy from Bostwick communications)
The Broken Road To Disaster Recovery by Keifer Bonvillain (received review copy from Bostwick communications)

Purchased:
Kind-Hearted Woman by Janet Spaeth
God Gave the Song by Kathleen E. Kovach
Noah's Ark by Debby Mayne
Once a Thief by Frances Devine
2010 Taste of Home Annual Recipes

Giveaway Books I Have Won:
The Smart One and the Pretty One by Claire LaZebnik (won over at Wendi's Book Corner)

What's in your box this week?

Bookmark and Share







Friday, October 23, 2009

The Help by Kathryn Stockett

The Help The Help by Kathryn Stockett


My rating: 5 of 5 stars
By far, THE BEST BOOK OF 2009!!! This is a MUST read for everyone!!

Miss Hilly is just the worst boss to work for and Aibileen, Constantine, Minny and others know first hand. This wonderful book, based back in the 1960's, chronicles the lives of black house slaves and their white masters/mistresses. There is love, suspense, comedy, and of course, uncomfortable issues.

When Skeeter, a white woman, starts befriending the help after seeing the way that they can (and are) mistreated, a wonderful idea is born and the residents of this small Mississippi town are in for the shock of their lives. Taking risks, Skeeter meets with the help in secret to work on their little project. I think she ultimately learns the best lesson of all, that despite skin color, women can work together for the greater good.

You'll laugh, you'll cry, and you might even want to throw the book before you are finished. I promise you the end is well worth the wait!! If you don't believe in Karma before reading this book, it just might change your mind!

Amazingly, this is Kathryn Stockett's first novel. I sure hope it won't be her last!!

I read this book on recommendation of my online book club, The Word Shakers. I purchased this book from Amazon.

View all my reviews >>

Bookmark and Share







Tuesday, October 20, 2009

Haunt of Jackals by Eric Wilson blog tour


This week, the Christian Science Fiction and Fantasy blog tour is featuring Haunt of Jackals by Eric Wilson.

This is the second book in the Jerusalem Undead Trilogy, with the first book being Field of Blood and the last book (due to be released in 2010) called Valley of Bones.

I have not yet had an opportunity to read this book as I was wanting to read this trilogy in order. I'm just now getting started on Field of Blood, but I can tell you it is seat of your pants kinda suspense!


Please be sure to check out these other bloggers who are also touring this book this week!


I have personally purchased both of the books mentioned in this post from Amazon. I am an Amazon Affiliate.


Bookmark and Share







Teaser Tuesday




Teaser Tuesdays is hosted by MizB over at Should Be Reading.

TEASER TUESDAYS asks you to:

Grab your current read. Let the book fall open to a random page.

Share with us two (2) “teaser” sentences from that page, somewhere between lines 7 and 12.
You also need to share the title of the book that you’re getting your “teaser” from … that way people can have some great book recommendations if they like the teaser you’ve given!

Please avoid spoilers!!

Gina cracked her neck, used a handful of Kleenex to wipe away the sticky trickle from her ear. She felt only dull pain.

Taken from Field of Blood by Eric Wilson

I purchased this book from Amazon, along with its sequel Haunt of Jackals. I am an Amazon Affiliate.

Bookmark and Share







Monday, October 19, 2009

Mailbox Monday





Mailbox Monday is hosted by Marcia at The Printed Page each Monday so that other book lovers and bloggers can see and comment on what's in the mailbox. Thanks Marcia for a great way of posting our new (or new to us) books!!

Have you read a book on my list? Please comment on it. It's possible I will use your comment and link back to you when I post my review of a particular book!

To Review:

Curse of the Spider King
by Wayne Thomas Batson (compliments of the publisher)
The Heretic's Daughter by Kathleen Kent (compliments of Hatchett Book Group)

Purchased:

Crank by Ellen Hopkins
Identical by Ellen Hopkins
Tricks by Ellen Hopkins
Glass by Ellen Hopkins
Burned by Ellen Hopkins




Giveaway Books I Have Won:


What's in your box this week?

Bookmark and Share







Saturday, October 17, 2009

Show Me 5 Saturday




Alison over at That's a Novel Idea has decided to start a new MEME. This meme will give each blogger an opportunity to give a brief description of a book they have read or reviewed during the week.

It will work like this:
Each Saturday You will post the answer to these questions. The number indicates the number of answers you will provide.

1 Book you read and/or reviewed this week: The Help by Kathryn Stockett

2 Words that describe the book: slaves, desegregation

3 Settings where it took place or characters you met: Skeeter, Mae Mo (Love her!), and Aibileen

4 Things you liked and/or disliked about it: 1. Loved the idea of what Miss Skeeter is doing in the book. 2. Dislike that I am having a hard time with the "slave" language. 3. Love the historical themes built into the book that make it more realistic than fiction. 4. Really enjoying the mystery that is going on right now (I can't tell you or it might spoil the book)

5 Stars or less for your rating? 4.7 stars at this point. I'm not quite finished yet so I reserve the right to change the rating once I do finish it.

If you would like to become a part of this meme, please join in! Alison would love to have you! Create your post and then let her know the link and she'll add you to the linky list!

Thanks Alison for a super fun Saturday meme!

This book is one that I purchased from Amazon.com. I am an Amazon.com affiliate.

Bookmark and Share







Wednesday, October 14, 2009

My Thoughts: Girl in the Arena by Lise Haines


This week, I'm pleased to introduce you to a wonderful new book by Lise Haines, Girl in the Arena! This tour is sponsored by Children's Book Blog Tour and will end today.

As mentioned on Monday, when I first received this book I wasn't sure about it. The cover looks great though and kept begging me to open it up and find out what was inside. I can say that this book easily is deserving of 4 stars!! I just loved the story of Lyn and her seven gladiator fathers, her mother, and her brother Thad.

The Glad life is not an easy one, marked by the fact that Lyn is now living with her 7th father. Her mother has totally absorbed the Glad life, being a true, through and through Glad wife. I mean, it's such a way of life that their are Universities dedicated to teaching young girls how to be a proper Glad wife!

Lyn's father Tommy is facing the biggest fight of his life and he is just beside himself. He tries to study all the angles and weaknesses of his opponent to have the upper hand. No matter what he does, it's his hand that is undermined (no pun intended!). Uber wins and collects a dowry, but not on purpose. Because of that, Lyn is now expected to marry Uber. Whatever is a girl to do?

Without giving much more away, I'll tell you some highlights about this book...
  • I loved the tenderness of Tommy. Just loved it! Nothing like this "bad boy" Glad attitude mixed in with this special kind of love for his family, especially where Thad is concerned.
  • I thought that the author did a great job of describing the scenes. I felt like I was at the fight watching from the ringside.
  • The way of life presented in this book was intriguing. It's one that I *might* consider living in a fairy tale world.
  • I found Lyn's mom to be weak, despite her standing with the Glad society. Yes, she had a lot on her plate but she rubbed me the wrong way. She always seemed to take the easy way out of things.
  • Uber was also one that bugged me. He's UBER for goodness sakes!! Actually I did like him a lot. He was a very strong man to do what he did and to face the things he saw.
I highly recommend this book to anyone, young or more mature. Next week is Teen Read Week and this would be a great one to pick up during that time!

Be sure to stop by and see what these bloggers have to say on this wrap up day of the tour! Comments are more than appreciated!

Abby the Librarian

A Patchwork of Books

All About Children’s Books

Becky’s Book Reviews

Fireside Musings

Homeschool Book Buzz

KidzBookBuzz.com

Maw Books Blog

My Own Little Corner of the World

Reading is My Superpower

Through a Child’s Eyes

Thanks to Bloomsbury USA for generously providing me with an ARC of this book for review.







Tuesday, October 13, 2009

Messy Tessy by Leah Orr

Messy Tessy Messy Tessy by Leah Orr


My rating: 5 of 5 stars
This super cute book written by Leah Orr is about a little girl named Tessy who's left with her Aunt Fran while her mom goes off to the gym. Aunt Fran falls asleep so Tessy takes it upon herself to keep the entertainment going. She draws on her walls, paints Aunt Fran's hair, gets into her mom's make-up, and takes her baby dolls to the salon. Her mother will never guess what's she been up to when she gets home though!!

I loved this book. It reminds me so much of my Messy MJ it's not funny. Everytime I turn around, she's making messes much like Tessy. MJ really enjoyed this book too, and realized she had a partner in crime!

The best thing about this book is that all of the proceeds go to the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. The author is a mom of 3 girls, the youngest who is affected with CF. The beautiful illustrations are penned by Leah's mother, Josephine Lepore. Also check out Kyle's First Crush and Kyle's First Playdate which also benefit the CFF.

View all my reviews >>

The autographed review copy was sent compliments of the author.

Bookmark and Share







Vampire Kisses: The Beginning by Ellen Schreiber

Vampire Kisses: The Beginning (Vampire Kisses Omnibus) Vampire Kisses: The Beginning by Ellen Schreiber


My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Vampire Kisses: The Beginning is a compilation of three books by Ellen Schreiber. The books included are Vampire Kisses, book 1; Vampire Kisses 2: Kissing Coffins; and Vampire Kisses 3: Vampireville.

This collection of books reads fairly quickly. It's a lighter read for a paranormal book than I would have expected. It is the story of Raven, the Goth-girl and residents of "Dullsville" (I think I've been there a few times!). A new family moves in to the old mansion on the hill and the gossip begins to fly about the vampires. Raven does everything she can to meet this new family...everything from breaking into the mansion to practically running over the young teen that is her new heart throb. Alexander is everything in a boy that Raven has always wanted...everything except for human that is.

This series of books chronicles the adventures in Raven discovering her Alexander's true identity. In the meantime, she runs into some of his "old friends" (no pun intended!) and life gets a little crazy. What will happen to the residents of Dullsville? What will happen to Raven? Will she become Alexander's eternal lover?

I read this collection in a fairly short amount of time, considering there are 562 pages in the book. I read the first two in one day! I found this series to be more humorous than that "other vampire series that seems to be so popular" (yes, I'm a fan of it too!). I tend to think this might be a better series just because it's not so serious that it makes you want to throw the book across the room. The story flows very well and quickly as well. I look forward to reading the next 2 books in the series, as soon as I can pry my teens' hands off of them!

This book is another one that has been "borrowed from Mindi". Please feel free to show her some blog love too...she's a new Teen blogger!

View all my reviews >>

Bookmark and Share







Meridian by Amber Kizer

Meridian Meridian by Amber Kizer


My rating: 4 of 5 stars
The first creatures to seek me were the insects; my parents cleaned the bassinet free of dead ants the morning after they brought me home from the hospital. My first word was “dead.”

At age four, when I stepped out of bed and popped a giant toad like a water balloon, I never again turned any lights off.

For all of my sixth year, I slept sitting up thinking I’d spot the dying coming toward me.

There were times when it felt like my insides were full of broken glass, times when the souls of the animals passing through me felt too big, too much. I’d open my eyes in the morning and peer into the glassy gaze of a mouse on my pillow. Death never became my comfortable companion.

With a book opening like that, how can this NOT be a good book to read?!?!? I was captivated from those opening lines and finished the book in record time. If you would like to read more of Meridian, please click here and you can read the prologue and first three chapters. I'm warning you though, be prepared to go and get it as soon as you do!

Meridian is a young girl with a very eccentric life. Things die around her. All. The. Time. It doesn't happen to anyone else though and she's concerned. The day of her 16th birthday changed her life forever. Her parents warn her to come straight home from school. What will happen if she doesn't? Should she even take the chance and find out? Why won't her parents give her more information? She already senses she's a freak and out of the norm and now her parents are "wigging her out".

Meridian finds herself on a bus to go see her Aunt. She's always enjoyed spending time with her and felt a special kinship with her. They are more alike than Meridian would have ever cared to guess. Then, there's Tens, her aunt's caretaker. Meridian seems to take a liking to him fairly quickly but he isn't so eager to return the sentiment.

This book is full of the adventures of our young Meridian and her half angel life. Along the way she meets some interesting folks who help to shape her into the young lady she becomes.

Don't just take my word for it though!! Other bloggers have a few things to say too, including interviews with our featured author, Amber Kizer. Check them out!

Mindi wrote her first blog post on this book. Read it here!

HeatherMarie has a great interview over at Want My YA! Read it here

Kim over at the Book Butterfly also interviewed Ms. Kizer. You can read the interview here

Did I overlook anyone? If you reviewed this book, I'll be happy to link to you too!

Per new FTC regulations, the source of this book is "borrowed from Mindi", who happens to be a student of mine. She inspires me to read more!!


View all my reviews >>

Bookmark and Share







Let's Meet the Author of Girl in the Arena: Lise Haines



This week, I'm pleased to introduce you to a wonderful new book by Lise Haines, Girl in the Arena! This tour is sponsored by Children's Book Blog Tour and will run through Wednesday.


Today you have the opportunity to meet Lise and learn more about how this book came about.

LISE HAINES is the author of three novels, Girl in the Arena, published in the US and the UK (Bloomsbury) and in Turkey (Alfa-Artemis Yayınevi); Small Acts of Sex and Electricity (Unbridled Books), a Book Sense Pick in 2006 and one of ten “Best Book Picks for 2006” by the NPR station in San Diego ; and In My Sister’s Country, (Penguin/Putnam), a finalist for the 2003 Paterson Fiction Prize. Her short stories and essays have appeared in a number of literary journals and she was a finalist for the PEN Nelson Algren Award.

Haines is Writer in Residence at Emerson College. She has been Briggs-Copeland Lecturer at Harvard, and her other teaching credits include UCLA, UCSB, and Stonecoast at the University of Southern Maine. She grew up in Chicago, lived in Southern California for many years, and now resides in the Boston area. She holds a B.A. from Syracuse University and an MFA from the Bennington Writing Seminars. (This info is taken from Lise's blog) Check out her blog for more background and to learn more about our author! She welcomes feedback, especially that of teen readers!

Once you do that, be sure to see what these bloggers have in store for you today!

Abby the Librarian

A Patchwork of Books

All About Children’s Books

Becky’s Book Reviews

Fireside Musings

Homeschool Book Buzz

KidzBookBuzz.com

Maw Books Blog

My Own Little Corner of the World

Reading is My Superpower

Through a Child’s Eyes

Thanks to Bloomsbury USA for generously providing me with an ARC of this book for review.

Bookmark and Share







Teaser Tuesday





Teaser Tuesdays is hosted by MizB over at Should Be Reading.

TEASER TUESDAYS asks you to:

Grab your current read. Let the book fall open to a random page.

Share with us two (2) “teaser” sentences from that page, somewhere between lines 7 and 12.
You also need to share the title of the book that you’re getting your “teaser” from … that way people can have some great book recommendations if they like the teaser you’ve given!

Please avoid spoilers!!

"But I want to be like you."
"You already are," he said with a smile.
"Were you born a vampire?"
"Yes. Were you born a human?" he teased.

Taken from Vampire Kisses: The Beginning by Ellen Schreiber
By clicking on above link, you will be directed to my Amazon Affiliate site

This book is on loan from a student of mine, Mindi.

Bookmark and Share







Monday, October 12, 2009

Giveaway: The Heretic's Daughter by Kathleen Kent

Thanks to Valerie and Hatchett Book Group, I have 5 copies of The Heretic's Daughter by Kathleen Kent to giveaway.

Martha Carrier was one of the first women to be accused, tried and hanged as a witch in Salem, Massachusetts. Like her mother, young Sarah Carrier is bright and willful, openly challenging the small, brutal world in which they live.

Often at odds with one another, mother and daughter are forced to stand together against the escalating hysteria of the trials and the superstitious tyranny that led to the torture and imprisonment of more than 200 people accused of witchcraft.

This is the story of Martha's courageous defiance and ultimate death, as told by the daughter who survived.

Kathleen Kent is a tenth generation descendent of Martha Carrier. She paints a haunting portrait, not just of Puritan New England, but also of one family's deep and abiding love in the face of fear and persecution.


Now for the fun part...

To enter the contest (open to US and Canada only), you must answer the following question (no answer to it, no entry):

If you could live during any time period, which would it be and why?

Then you may choose one or more of the following (please note: you MUST provide an email in the body of your response so I know how to get a hold of you!):

Rules:
1. Please include your email address with your answer, so that I can contact you if you win. You will have 3 days to respond to the email. You must put your email address in the comments or your entry is invalid. Format like faithfulgirl4[at]gmail[dot]com
2. For an extra entry, sign up to be a follower. If you're already a follower, let me know and you'll get the extra entry as well.
3. For another extra entry, subscribe via googlereader, blogger or by email and let me know that you do.
4. For another entry, blog about this giveaway and send me the link.
5. For another entry, Tweet about this contest and include @faithfulgirl along with website link.
6. For another entry, enter to win another of my giveaways and tell me that you have entered by leaving a comment here as to which one.
7. Leave a separate comment for each entry or you'll only be entered once.

The contest is open to US and Canadian residents only. NO PO BOXES. The contest ends at 11:59 pm EST on November 7, 2009. One book per household.



Bookmark and Share







Girl in the Arena by Lise Haines

This week, I'm pleased to introduce you to a wonderful new book by Lise Haines, Girl in the Arena! This tour is sponsored by Children's Book Blog Tour and will run through Wednesday.

It’s a fight to the death—on live TV—when a gladiator’s daughter steps into the arena

Lyn is a neo-gladiator’s daughter, through and through. Her mother has made a career out of marrying into the high-profile world of televised blood sport, and the rules of the Gladiator Sports Association are second nature to their family. Always lend ineffable confidence to the gladiator. Remind him constantly of his victories. And most importantly: Never leave the stadium when your father is dying. The rules help the family survive, but rules—and the GSA—can also turn against you. When a gifted young fighter kills Lyn’s seventh father, he also captures Lyn’s dowry bracelet, which means she must marry him... For fans of The Hunger Games and Fight Club, Lise Haines’ debut novel is a mesmerizing look at a world addicted to violence—a modern world that’s disturbingly easy to imagine. (Taken from Amazon)


When I first received this book, I thought to myself, "This just doesn't look like something that I would read." How wrong that assumption was! I just love the cover and it speaks volumes to this book. I grew up in the era of watching American Gladiators on TV and loved the idea of the gladiator life. I have also seen bits and pieces of movies featuring gladiators. This book, although a work of futuristic fiction, gives what seems a reasonable background into the Gladiator world. This book does make the American Gladiators look (and sound) like a bunch of overpaid sissies!

I can't speak to the statement about your enjoyment of this book based on your enjoyment of The Hunger Games and Fight Club as I have not read these books. Maybe one of these other bloggers can help you out with that one!


Abby the Librarian

A Patchwork of Books

All About Children’s Books

Becky’s Book Reviews

Fireside Musings

Homeschool Book Buzz

KidzBookBuzz.com

Maw Books Blog

My Own Little Corner of the World

Reading is My Superpower

Through a Child’s Eyes

Thanks to Bloomsbury USA for generously providing me with an ARC of this book for review.

Bookmark and Share







Mailbox Monday




Mailbox Monday is hosted by Marcia at The Printed Page each Monday so that other book lovers and bloggers can see and comment on what's in the mailbox. Thanks Marcia for a great way of posting our new (or new to us) books!!

Have you read a book on my list? Please comment on it. It's possible I will use your comment and link back to you when I post my review of a particular book!

To Review:

A Pediatric Surgeon in Iraq
by Dr. Chris Coppola (Thanks to the publisher NTI Upstream for the ARC review copy of this book)

Purchased:
A Touch of Dead by Charlaine Harris
Fire by Kristin Cashore
The Queen' Mistake by Diane Haeger
The Vampire Diaries: The Awakening and The Struggle by L.J. Smith
The Vampire Diaries: The Fury and Dark Reunion by L.J. Smith
Dance With A Vampire by Ellen Schreiber
The Coffin Club by Ellen Schreiber
The Vampire's Assistant (Books 1-3) by Darren Shan
Cirque Du Freak: Vampire Mountain by Darren Shan
Devil's Kiss by Sarwat Chadda
Against Medical Advice by James Patterson and Hal Friedman


Giveaway Books I Have Won:
Close Encounters of the Third Grade Kind by Phillip Done (won over at Linda's Book Blog "Bambi Reads" Thanks so much!)

What's in your box this week?
Bookmark and Share







Saturday, October 10, 2009

Catching Up...

I have been a little slack in keeping up with awards and such. I have a few minutes of "down time" today so I'll try to do some of that catching up!

First of all, thank you to all of my loyal readers! Your comments bring smiles to my face and a spring to my step! Please keep the comments coming and bring your friends over to join in!

Next, I would like to thank Lisa from Book Blab for this great award!

This award is designed with one purpose in mind. Pass this on to other bloggers who have awarded you in the past.

I choose to send this on to:

Jessica at Book Lovers Diary
Trin at Bloody Book Bag

A great blogger with a lot of Creative Madness named Margaret gave me this fantastic award!! Thanks MJ! (Good luck on the move!)



Here are the rules for the Over The Top Award:

USE ONLY ONE WORD! It’s not as easy as you might think. Copy and change the answers to suit yourself and pass it on. It’s really hard to use only one-word answers so try your best.

1. Where is your cell phone? Bed.

2.Your hair? Messy.

3. Your mother? Reading.

4. Your father? Electronics.

5. Your favorite food? Pizza.

6. Your dream last night? Forget.

7. Your favorite drink? Diet.

8. Your dream/goal? Organized.

9. What room are you in? Bedroom.

10. Your hobby? Reading.

11. Your fear? Snakes.

12. Where do you want to be in 6 years? Home.

13. Where were you last night? Home.

14. Something that you aren’t? Organized.

15. Muffins? Chocolate.

16. Wish list item? Books.

17. Where did you grow up? Illinois.

18. Last thing you did? Read.

19. What are you wearing? Clothes.

20. Your TV? Fritzing.

21. Your pets? Farm.

22. Friends? Online.

23. Your life? Blessed.

24. Your mood? Weird.

25. Missing someone? Hubby.

26. Vehicle? Odyssey.

27. Something you’re not wearing? Socks.

28. Your favorite store? Staples.

29. Your favorite color? Purple.

30. When was the last time you laughed? Commercial.

31. Last time you cried? 23rd.

32. Your best friend? Michael.

33. One place that I go to over and over? Bathroom.

34. One person who emails me regularly? BookBlogs.

35. Favorite place to eat? Longhorn.


I would like to bestow this award on the following:

Sheila at A Book Journey

Alison at That's a Novel Idea

Bookmark and Share







Friday, October 9, 2009

Show Me 5 Saturday




Alison over at That's a Novel Idea has decided to start a new MEME. This meme will give each blogger an opportunity to give a brief description of a book they have read or reviewed during the week.

It will work like this:
Each Saturday You will post the answer to these questions. The number indicates the number of answers you will provide.

1 Book you read and/or reviewed this week: Girl in the Arena by Lise Haines
2 Words that describe the book: Gladiator Sports!
3 Settings where it took place or characters you met: Lyn, Thad, Tommy
4 Things you liked and/or disliked about it:
1.Loved the cover. It says so much! 2. Was disappointed in Lyn's mom's character. 3. Great decisions made on both sides. 4. Hated the sneakiness of the Glad Association, especially where parents are concerned.

5 Stars or less for your rating? 4 stars Be sure to visit Monday-Wednesday next week for the tour of this book.

If you would like to become a part of this meme, please join in! Alison would love to have you! Create your post and then let her know the link and she'll add you to the linky list!

Thanks Alison for a super fun Saturday meme!
Bookmark and Share







Beautiful Mess: The Story of Diamond Rio by Tom Roland

Beautiful Mess: The Story of Diamond Rio (NelsonFree) Beautiful Mess: The Story of Diamond Rio by Diamond Rio


My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Can a band comprised of six very talented but very different musicians make a difference with their music?

What made it possible for Diamond Rio to weather the storms inherent in the fickle world of fame and fortune and go more than two decades without a single lineup change? Any reader in search of transparency and a behind-the-scenes look into the life of the band as a unit as well as the individual lives of the players and singers will be well satisfied. Can true loyalty exist within the competitive, seemingly unforgiving music industry? In A Beautiful Mess, Marty Roe, Dan Truman, Jimmy Olander, Brian Prout, Gene Johnson, and Dana Williams each has an entire chapter devoted to his personal and professional life. A Beautiful Mess is a wild ride from the edge of disaster and a little-known secret to an ongoing heart-warming revival.

I have always been a fan of Diamond Rio and when I received the opportunity from Thomas Nelson Publishing to review this book, I was ecstatic! There is so much that I didn't know about this group, from their humble beginnings to their rocky climb into the music industry to the personal lives of each band member. As someone who once pursued the music industry, I can appreciate some of the struggles (I didn't persist as long as they did by a long shot) that they faced. I wondered as I read this book though, did I see THEM at Opryland when I loved the Country Music USA show? I don't remember when I went there!

Getting a "backstage pass" into the lives of these six men put into perspective a little more of what their music actually means. Diamond Rio has always prided themselves on "good clean country" music without the sex, drugs, and rock and roll.

Some of my favorite songs recorded by Diamond Rio include: Meet in the Middle (their first hit!), This Romeo Ain't Got Julie Yet, Bubba Hyde, One More Day, and Beautiful Mess.

Life is a Beautiful Mess, you just have to be prepared for the ride!



Source of book: Received from the publisher, Thomas Nelson. I did not receive any monetary compensation for this review.

View all my reviews >>

Bookmark and Share







It Doesn't Get Much Sweeter Than This


This is the scene from earlier today when I made a run to my local Borders store (like I *really* needed more books!)

My poor baby MJ...she graciously offered to hold my books for me!!

Look for my new purchases on Monday during my Mailbox Monday post.

Bookmark and Share







Thursday, October 8, 2009

Word Verification Balderdash


balderdash

This is the weekly meme where Sheila encourages anyone who wishes to play along to take those crazy word verifications they have had over the past week and apply a fake definition to them (much like how you play the board game Balderdash). This is all in fun and makes commenting on blogs a bit more interesting when the verification may just give you the best definition of the week!

aniness: This is someone who aspires to be royalty but just doesn't quite make it. Trish is refereed to as "Your Aniness" (a-nigh-ness)

sygginfu: What happens when you get sick...You're sygginfu (sickoftheflu)

tortse: This is what Trish does as Your Aniness since she can't curtsy royally (tort-see)

enteolli: (en-tee-o-lee) What a person might say after being cured using Ricola

Bookmark and Share







Another New Blog Baby!!


I'm so excited that today I get to introduce to you another blog baby!! Last month, you met Mindi, from A Teen That Reads, and today you get to meet "E" from Take it From E. Both of these young ladies are high school students of mine that have a huge interest in reading. At times I can't tear them away from their books when I'm trying to teach them!!

I am blessed to have all my students in my life ( I wouldn't have a job without them!) and it's really them that I owe for inspiring me to read more. They are both just getting started but I do hope you'll pay them a visit and encourage them!! :)

I have had a couple other students approach me about creating a blog so hopefully I'll have more to introduce soon. I'm thinking I might have to have an after school class one day on how to do this, even though I'm still learning myself!

Welcome E!!

Bookmark and Share







Wednesday, October 7, 2009

A-Z Wednesday: I

To join, here's all you have to do: Go to your stack of books and find one w
hose title starts with the letter of the week.
Post: 1~ a photo of the book
2~ title and synopsis
3~ link(amazon, barnes and noble etc.)
4~ Come back here and leave your link in the comments.
If you've already reviewed this book you can add it also.
Be sure to visit other participants to see what book they have posted and leave them a comment.
(We all love comments, don't we?)
Who knows? You may find your next "favorite" book.
THIS WEEKS LETTER IS: "I"

I Can See You by Karen Rose

From Publishers Weekly (taken from Amazon.com)
Virtual reality meets bloody reality in bestseller Rose's spine-tingling 10th thriller, which introduces the Minneapolis PD's Hat Squad, whose members earn snappy fedoras for successfully fighting crime. Almost six years have passed since Eve Wilson, a former runaway introduced in Rose's debut, Don't Tell (2003), moved from Chicago to the Twin Cities after a vicious assault. Plastic surgery has improved her looks, and she's begun researching a Web role-playing game, Shadowland, and how it can be used to build self-esteem. Eve also connects with a homicide detective investigating the Red Dress Killer, who finds some victims through Shadowland. Samantha Altman is the killer's first victim, but she's not identified until the second, Martha Brisbane, is found. When Eve learns Martha was a fellow research participant, she becomes a Hat Squad confidential informant. Rose keeps the action popping as the psycho claims more lives, hoping to add Eve to his list. (Aug.)
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Bookmark and Share