Book Reviews

Mary M. (emeraldfire) - Loudonville, NY reviewed on 5/22/2013

One day in September of 1985, 12-year-old Brenda Sue Gere was abducted from her family's home in Clearview, Washington. Her parents, Joe and Elaine Gere, were understandably devastated by the little girl's disappearance, and Joe said he effectively died on the day that Brenda was taken. It was left to Brenda's mother, Elaine to sustain her stricken family, search for her missing child, and pressure the authorities for justice.

From the first minutes of the investigation, suspicion fell on Michael Kay Green - a steroid-abusing "Mr. Universe" hopeful - but there was no proof of a crime, leaving police and prosecutors stymied. Tips and sightings poured in as lawmen and volunteers commenced searching the Cascade forest in a search which would become the largest in Northwest history. Years passed with no sign of blue-eyed Brenda or the bright clothing she had worn on the day she had disappeared. Yet Elaine remained undaunted in her quest.

Salt of the Earth: One Family's Journey Through a Violent American Landscape by Jack Olsen, tells the true story of a simple family thrust into overwhelming grief and the unyielding spotlight by a senseless crime. This story traces the background of the Gere family, the seven-year long crime drama and the effects of tragedy on a family.

I must say that I enjoyed this book very much. It was well-written, easy to follow and the plot had a poignancy about it that I appreciated. I give this book an A+! and look forward to reading more books by Jack Olsen in the future.

Carol T. reviewed on 5/21/2013 + 11 more book reviews

I would have rated it higher except I did not appreciate some of the language. I really did not like the explicite sex scenes. I do not know why a good writer has to through this in. Taking out about three pages would have fixed this. I have been told that this author's other books have a lot more of this. So I will not be reading any more of his books.

John O. (buzzby) - La Quinta, CA reviewed on 5/21/2013 + 3369 more book reviews

Some of my 1st grade students seem to have taken the title of this book to heart.

GAIL L. (my2luvsemmyandmally) reviewed on 5/21/2013 + 611 more book reviews

VERY GOOD BOOK!!! 2nd book of his I read & will look for more of his books!

GAIL L. (my2luvsemmyandmally) reviewed on 5/21/2013 + 611 more book reviews

EXCELLENT BOOK !!! Definitely one of her best...kept me up late reading....hard to put this book down!

GAIL L. (my2luvsemmyandmally) reviewed on 5/21/2013 + 611 more book reviews

Really liked this book!

Karen G. (KarenGalal) reviewed on 5/21/2013 + 35 more book reviews

Boring.... I couldn't even finish it!!!! So disappointing!

Sophia C. reviewed on 5/21/2013 + 260 more book reviews

John Irving celebrates sexual difference in this compelling novel. William Abbott relates his life story, starting with developing crushes on the wrong people as a teenager in his small Vermont town. A good half of the novel is devoted to his high school years at the town's boarding school where his stepfather teaches, including two formative first loves. Living as a bisexual man (although somewhat offstage), others always doubt where he can find all he needs or wants in one person, making him not completely accepted among gays and straights alike. Spanning a half century, Abbott lives through the AIDS crisis in the 1980s and the more current improvements in the rights of sexual minorities. Although there is a ensemble cast feeling to this story, I think In One Person does wonders for humanizing individuals who are sexually different in this tale full of humor, compassion, and even a little bit of mystery.

Jenny B. (jennyb618) reviewed on 5/21/2013 + 8 more book reviews

I love listening to these books on CD since I'm not creative enough to give the characters different voices. I'm really happy I waited until all 5 books were out. I would have been pretty crabby to not have the next book on hand. I'm completely sucked into this world and gave this 4 1/2 stars. Great series.

Jerry J. (jjares) reviewed on 5/21/2013 + 290 more book reviews

Comfort Kennedy has been smitten with Bram DeLong most of her life - and everyone knows it. So when Bram announces his engagement to Comfort at his older brother Bode's birthday party, she should be happy, right? Then why does she feel uneasy?

Comfort knows Bram is not in love with her, in her heart-of-hearts, she knows he is too fickle to love another. She agrees to a temporary engagement; Bram wants it for 6 months, Comfort agrees to 8 weeks.

Comfort is an unusual creature in the society in which she lives – she has an important job at her uncles' bank. Wealthy, educated and with meaningful work, Comfort is a rarity in this time in American history. She also has an interesting back story.

Her "uncles" – Newton Prescott and Tucker Jones – found a small girl after renegade soldiers had murdered a small wagon train, leaving her to die in some rocks a few feet from the carnage. The only thing she had as a small tin for lozenges, Dr. Eli Kennedy's Comfort Lozenges. From that, the men named the child Comfort Elizabeth Kennedy.

Compared to some of the names given to characters in books, this is rather straight forward. However, I'd like to make a comment about the weird names given to most of the main characters in romance books. Is it just me or are they getting weirder and weirder? What happened to John and Suzanne? This isn't a criticism of Goodman or the other authors specifically; however it seems each name gets more outrageous and strange. Oh well, I'll set aside my soapbox now.

Bode DeLong doesn't know that his brother's engagement is a sham, but he's decided to do something about it. He also knows that Bram is not in love with Comfort.

He's been growing the DeLong shipping company – actually, he's been trying to save it from the effects of his deceased father's irresponsible actions as company chief. The company is still in dangerous waters, but Bode decides to take some time to convince Comfort to marry him, and not his brother.

This is an interesting story; the characterizations are well-rounded and each one brings something to the story. I had a hard time putting this book down. The only negative thing I can say is this story line wasn't as absorbing as some of Jo Goodman's other books. 4 stars

Darlina H. (book-crazy-62) reviewed on 5/21/2013 + 15 more book reviews

First book I have ever read by J R Ward/Jessica Bird.. I loved it!! Great chemistry with the characters!! I am now looking for more books by this author.

Sara M. (rockmom66) reviewed on 5/21/2013 + 45 more book reviews

One of the few zombie books I've read , where I have rooted for the zombies ! Characters constantly bicker and whine at each other. Usually I can overlook editing errors, but the combo of errors and miserable characters were to much.

Jerry J. (jjares) reviewed on 5/21/2013 + 290 more book reviews

This story is a continuation of the first book: THE LAST RENEGADE. When released in May 2013, I rushed to the store to get it and I'm glad I did. It's a great follow-up story.

Goodman does a delightful job with character development. She lets her villains have good points and that makes them more interesting and realistic.

She also brought back the 2 characters that charmed the first story; they were just as delightful as before. I think Goodman did a slightly better job developing Tru Morrow's character than Cobb Bridger's. However, this is really Tru's story.

At the point Cobb decides he wants to marry Tru, I was a bit surprised. (Yes, I know they are hero and heroine, but I was surprised by the lack of internal discussion by Cobb before he takes the plunge. I may not be explaining this well; I knew Cobb admired her and was interested. I was just surprised by the question at that point.) It really is a small point – I still loved the book!

By the end of the first book, I wanted to move to Bitter Springs; by the time I finished this one, I had my bags packed! Enjoy!

Reidsville Series
1. The Last Renegade
2. True to the Law

Danny N. (Alameda) - Havelock, NC reviewed on 5/21/2013 + 308 more book reviews

Another book which took a week to read - normally I read a book like this within two days. This one however had so much to say, and had so much details. There were no 'fillers' which so many stories have just to 'pad the pages'.

Very keen view of Irish life and customs. Book just tells it like it is without passing judgement or anything. Some of the life stlyes and customs are kinda sad, some are just funny as all get-out. Some are carry-overs from the church, and some are new having been won after many years of struggle.

Always wanted to go to Ireland and visit, this book gave insight as to how the small village people live and also lets you know that the Yanks are always welcomed there...

It's a hard read but very enjoyable.

Recommended. I gave it 4-1/2 Stars....

Elizabeth R. (esjro) - Stockton, NJ reviewed on 5/21/2013 + 352 more book reviews

A fast-paced and original thriller. Has a bit of everything - biotechnology, robotics, international espionage, and a hint of romance. Highly recommended.

Gerhard O. (nccorthu) reviewed on 5/21/2013 + 530 more book reviews

When you have God as a 1960's hippie with Flip Flops and Black socks, you know the book will be of a different genre. This one certainly is. Liked it

Danny N. (Alameda) - Havelock, NC reviewed on 5/21/2013 + 308 more book reviews

Haven't done a review since 2007 - after reading this book I just had to share.

Book was excellent. I give it 5 stars. Normally I read a book in a day, perhaps 2 days - this one took me a full week. At 301 pages it should have been a day and a half.

I found myself reading a chapter and putting it down. I needed to digest what was being told, as I had never before seen in print just how bad some people were treated for who and what they were - not on this scale. It made me hurt inside, and made me cry. A little here and a little there.

I finished the book and realized that I had (and have) friends on both sides of this issue. We always seem to think that everything is supposed to be black and white - yes or no - up or down - left or right. We forget that the world isn't like that - the grass isn't just green, it's various hues of green. The clouds aren't just white but various shades of white. That's what this book shows - people are people and all of us are so different from each other and we don't even know it. This book shows you just some of the difference and in such a beautiful way.

I highly recommend this book, as I'm sure it will open your eyes to how badly people can be treated and the hope that sometime soon things can change to something so much better.

Valerie (IDOLFAN) - WA reviewed on 5/21/2013 + 42 more book reviews

I enjoyed this book. It was wordy but I still enjoyed it.

Jennifer E. (virginiamom) reviewed on 5/21/2013 + 25 more book reviews

Good book, which I did not like. Cold War Thriller and an interesting (ca 1973) take on Sudan. The novel is written as excerpts from intel reports, debriefs, and outside observers. The book thus is intentionally choppy, and lacked a narrative flow. Though written ages ago, it still packed a good punch and was not at all dated.

Sharon B. (serenityseeker) reviewed on 5/21/2013

A previous reviewer had been disappointed by this book, expecting a romance. It is definitely not a romance--it is a book of ideas, with a deep insight into the spiritual and political programs that Gandhi established in India that led to independence. I found it fascinating, since it showed a side of Gandhi not generally written about. Do not be confused--this book is not history, it is fiction, but is based on historical documents and is so convincingly written it is difficult to remember this. The third character, the first person narrator who takes a different path, is fully as interesting as the two primary protagonists. I do recommend it if you are interested in modern history.

Jim C. reviewed on 5/21/2013 + 4 more book reviews

Not impressed with the content of this story.

Jaime F. reviewed on 5/21/2013 + 74 more book reviews

Funny!

Jaime F. reviewed on 5/21/2013 + 74 more book reviews

Excellent!

Christine H. (solarawynn) reviewed on 5/21/2013 + 696 more book reviews

I have enjoyed the series and this one is almost as good.

Elisabeth P. (BetsyP) reviewed on 5/21/2013 + 527 more book reviews

Contemporary teen fiction. Tyler has always been an unnoticed loser, in school. Then he gets into a lot of trouble when he is caught playing a prank. The results are probation, community service, and notoriety. And a physical change as the result of physical labor from the community service. With his home life in shambles, he now has the attention of the most popular girl in school. But something goes horribly wrong, and once again, Tyler is the main suspect.

Awesome book. The author illustrates how easy it could be for a teenager to make very poor, fatal decisions. But Tyler is smart enough to take control of his own life and endure. Excellant book.