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Mommabearsbooks

Mommabears Book Blog

I love sharing my love of reading with the world. I love connecting with other book lovers like me.

Currently reading

The Garnet Dagger
Andrea R. Cooper
Shattered
C.C. Brown
The Holders - Julianna Scott This book has a great storyline. The girl is her brother's protector from all the people that want to put him in a "home" because they think he's crazy. They finally meet with people that have her brother's best interests at heart. She and her brother move to a special school in Scotland where her brother settles right in and makes many friends. She, on the other hand, tries to settle in herself, all the while crushing hard on one of the Holders. Holders have special powers. Each Holder has a singular special power. The "Order" seems to think that the brother is "The One", a fierce warrior they've been waiting for for thousands of years. I won't say any more for fear of spoiling it for you.

My Thoughts:
I really think this book could have been amazing if there was more detail. They really don't talk much about the brother, and I think more could have been said about the Holder's powers. There were times I was confused about certain events and people. I felt like the ending could have had a more "wow" factor. But yes, in the end, I would like to see the story progress and see where it goes.
The Madman's Daughter - Megan Shepherd Wow, what can I say about this book? It far exceeded my expectations and also gave me a new favorite author! The Madman's Daughter left me feeling shocked, excited, and definitely wanting more. No matter what I write here, it won't do the book justice. Juliet has lived a sad, stressed life before she meets up again with a servant from her childhood. After that, her world now reels out of control. I really don't want to say anything that might give away any part of the book, so I'll just write how this book made me feel. I actually got scared at some points, as well as teary eyed, and anxious. It was so beautifully written, Megan Shepherd is now a favorite of mine. It's too bad that this book is her debut novel because I want to read more! I think my husband is tired of hearing about it because I've been talking about the book since I started it. LOL Does anyone else do that? From what I hear, there will be 2 more books to this series. I have already put them on my TBR pile.
Don't walk, RUN, and go buy this as soon as it comes out!
Hidden - Cathy Glass This book sheds light on the children that slip through the cracks. It tells the story of one little boy whose mother kidnaps him from the only home he's known and takes him to another country. Tayo, 10 years old, is put into foster care and placed into Cathy's home. Tayo is a very intelligent, well mannered boy, despite his mother Minty's neglect. Minty took Tayo, when he was 5, from his father and gran from Nigeria and fled to the UK. Her drunkenness has left him by himself for days at a time with no food. Hidden chronicles the 10 months that Tayo is in Cathy's care.

My Thoughts:
Hidden was fabulously written. It pulls at your heartstrings and really makes you thinnk. As a mother of 4, it was hard for me to see how this happened. There were a couple of times that I got very emotional. I just wanted tot ake the boy and protect him from his cruel mother. The one thing that totally made the book for me was the way Cathy treated him. She treated Tayo like he was one of her own kids. The little names she called him warmed my heart. One more thing! Goodnight, sleep tight. Don't let the bed bugs bite!
The Green-Eyed Monster - Mike  Robinson I'm really not sure what to say about this book. The genre was totally out of my comfort zone and I didn't "get" a lot of it. But I do have to say that the premise was amazing. These 2 boys are born and alike in so many way, yet they detest each other and hardly talk. They act and talk beyond their years. Strange things also happen when they are around.
It's not that I didn't like the book. I think it was wonderfully written. It just wasn't my type. I think my husband would have really enjoyed it though. I give it a strong 3 stars!
Dark Side Of Purgatory - Linda Hadaway Wow, this book really makes you think. I did start thinking the book sounded monotonous, but I was wrong. Anyone that is an addict, or has a loved one that is an addict, this is a must read. Hey, even for those of you that don't have a loved one that's an addict, read it anyway! You won't be sorry!

Comfortably Awkward

Comfortably Awkward - Ken Scudero This was an okay book. It definitely had potential, but I wish there was more story to it instead of constantly talking about Corporate America and his ex girlfriend. I definitely understood the meaning of the story and completely agreed with it. You shouldn't be a pawn and live a miserable life just to make someone else rich.
The Language of Flowers - Vanessa Diffenbaugh This book frustrated me. One minutes I'm routing for Victoria, and the next she makes me angry. This girl is probably the most "broken" girl I've ever read about. When I first started the book, I thought the author went into too much detail about Victoria's emotions. As I read further, I realized that this was necessary.
Each chapter goes back and forth between Victoria's past and present. I think this was brilliantly done, and you'll have to read it to find out why.
This review is short because I'm in the hospital. In the end though, I want to convey that this book really makes you think about your own relationships. A great book! Oh, and there is a flower glossary in the back of the book that is very useful!
Other Side of Forever - Shannon Eckrich Just finished this. Fantastic book! Review to come!!

Sneak (Swipe, #2)

Sneak (Swipe, #2) - Evan Angler This series was amazing! I could definitely see this happening in the not too distant future. American Union? Global Union? Being marked by the government? Absolutely!
Swipe - Evan Angler I read this book during Hurricane Sandy and I told myself I would not review any books during that time. I do have to say that Evan Angler has a great mind. This book is so life like. I can totally see this happening in America in the not so far future.
In a Fix - Linda Grimes I finished this during Hurricane Sandy and told myself I would not review any books I read during that time. I do want to say though, that this book was so cute. I loved the premise of it and hope the author will write more books with these characters. It was a fun and quick read.

The Color of Snow

The Color of Snow - Brenda Stanley Wow, I think this is one of the best books I've read this year. I laughed, cried, and got really pissed off!
This book changes from past to present, but not too fast. This story is told by Sophie, or Callidora, her birth name. It is the story of her life as she lives with a curse that was put on her family. Stolen by her father at 2 days old, Sophie is hidden away for years from her mother;'s family and society as a whole and also to avoid hurting anyone with the curse. It tells how and why she is kept out of the public eye, and also how she tries to forge friendships along the way.
You know a book is good when you feel and display the same emotions as the characters in the book. There were a few parts that really pissed me off asking myself, "Hasn't this girl been through enough?" It was one of those books that kept me awake until 4am. The only thing negative I have to say about this book is that it could have been more descriptive. I wasn't really seeing the faces or bodies or clothes the characters were wearing. The same with the landscape. I was halfway through the book before I could picture in my mind what this one landscape looked like. But, as I said, that was the only negative throughout the whole book for me. What made me sad was the fact that Sophie doesn't realize how much she is loved.
**IMPORTANT**
There are sensitive situations in this book. I don';t want to give this away but, in my opinion, this book would be best suited for ages 18+.
Island of Lost Girls - Jennifer McMahon Island of Lost Girls is about a girl that is kidnapped by someone dressed as a rabbit. Rhonda has just come home from college and is reuniting with her first love Peter. Everything goes horribly wrong when Rhonda witnesses the kidnapping. Throughout the book, Rhonda does everything she can to help find the little girl.

Island of Lost Girls is the 5th book I've read by Jennifer McMahon. It is definitely one of my favorites. The book, like all of Jennifer's books, switches from past to present. Other books switch constantly and I get confused, but this one was perfect. It was quite a surprise who the criminal winds up to be at the end. I got a sense of the characters pretty early on in the book. It is told in Rhonda's point of view and there were times when I became Rhonda in my mind. That's when I know the book was written well. One thing I didn't like were the nicknames. Rhonda was Ronnie, and the kidnapped girl, Ernestine, was Ernie. Yuck! I don't like to write about the plot very often because then I would have to take notes and I wouldn't enjoy the book as much. I like to tell more about how I felt while reading it and how I related to the characters. I really have to say again, you really need to read at least one of Jennifer's books.
The One I Left Behind - Jennifer McMahon Wow, what can I say about this book? I've been dying to read it and have been watching for Jennifer's new book to come out. I wish she could write faster. This is the 4th book I've read by Jennifer.

Regina, or Reggie, grew up with an eccentric mom. Always out with men, drinking at the bars. Until the day Reggie's mom, Vera, is kidnapped by a serial killer, who has already kidnapped and killed 3 other women in their small town. This book is about growing up, coming of age with an odd family life and trying to break out of it.

I really don't want to get too into detail because I'm always afraid I'll ruin it the way some Goodreads reader ruined it for me. I still totally enjoyed it and am looking forward to Jennifer's next one. I'll just end this by saying you won't be disappointed.
Call Me Mrs. Miracle - Debbie Macomber I just realized that I've read this and never reviewed it here. I thought this was a sweet and comforting story. I even cried a little. I definitely recommend this book if you need a pick me up.

Here's Lily! (Young Women of Faith: Lily Series, Book 1)

Here's Lily! (Young Women of Faith: Lily Series, Book 1) - Nancy Rue Lily is a sixth grade girl. She has unruly red curly hair that gets her picked on all the time. A boy named Shad teases her about everything. One day a woman from a modeling agency comes in to talk to the girls about cleanliness and beauty and confidence. The woman picks Lily out of all the girls to come to classes to build self esteem and confidence. Her parents agree to it only if Lily can find God somewhere in all of it. Lily feels so good about it that she forms a club to help other girls with low self esteem. One night there is a fire in Lily's home. Lily is burnt on her face and her father is burnt on his arms and hands. How will she ever get up in front of an audience of people to walk in a fashion show with bandages on her face? Lily puts herself into Gods hands and prays He will help her be confident and strong in front of the audience. She steps out onto the runway to see Shad in the audience. She is afraid of what he'll say, but instead the whole audience stands up and applauds Lily for being so brave.

I really thought this was going to be a quick book to read and review. Boy was I shocked! You start to feel bad for this girl right away. I mean, not only do you have this bully Shad at school(who no one does anything about), but then she also gets picked on at home by her two brothers(who no one does anything about). The mom and dad just don't even pay it any mind. This really, really bothered me. It seemed only the outsiders saw Lily for what she was, a beautiful young lady.

In the end, this was a fantastic book. It is very highly recommended reading for girls in the 10-12 year old range. As a mom of two boys and two girls, my 10 year old will be reading this.